PRINCETON,     N.     J 

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F  A  K  E  W  E  L  L    S  K  R  INI  O  N 


REV.    A.    L.    LINDSLEY,    D .  D . , 


DELIVERED     UPON     CLOSING     IILS 
MINISTRY    IN    THE 


Kirst    Presbyterian    CHuroln, 


PORTLAND,  OREGON. 


Together  with  his  Letter  of  Resignation,  the  Action  of  the  Presbytery 

and  of  the  Congregation,  and  the  Address 

of  the  Rev.  E.  W.  Garner,  D.  D.,  in  declaring  the  pulpit  vacant. 


PORTLAND, OREGON. 


(fexntt  be  unto  gxm,  anb  urate,  from  Sob  our  Jather  anb 
from  the  |£orb  Jesus  Christ.  1  thank  mu  ®ob  altoaps 
on  jjour  behalf,  for  the  grare  of  (iob  tohich  is  gioen  uou  bji 
Jesus  Christ :  that  in  ebetp.  thing  ye  arc  enrichcb  bn  him, 
in  all  utterance,  anb  in  all  knotolebge ;  cben  as  the  testi- 
mony of  Christ  boas  ronfirmcb  in  uou :  so  that  r>c  come 
behinb  in  uo  gift ;  matting  for  the  routing  of  our  JJorb 
Jesus  Christ :  mho  shall  also  confirm  uou  unto  the  tn^, 
that  $t  maji  be  blameless  in  the  bag  of  our  HJorb  Jesus 
Christ.— /•  Cor.  1.3-8. 


Dr.  Lindsley's  Letter  of  Resignation. 


T<>  ih<  First  Presbyterian  Church 

and  Congregation,  of  Portland,: 

Dear  Brethren  and  Friends: — With  the  assent  of  the  Session  I 
respectfully  ask  you  to  unite  with  me  in  a  request  to  Presbytery  to 
dissolve  the  pastoral  relation  existing  between  us. 

I  desire  this  release  in  order  to  devote  myself  to  the  professorship 
to  which  I  have  been  appointed  in  our  Theological  Seminary. 

There  are  solemn  and  responsible  ties  existing  between  a  pastor  and 
the  people  of  his  charge,  and  the  relationship  should  not  be  dissolved 
for  any  consideration  which  will  not  bear  the  approbation  of  an 
enlightened  conscience.  If  I  were  to  yield  to  the  dictates  of  my  heart, 
T  should  not  make  this  petition.  The  growing  years  have  made  my 
official  relations  to  you  more  and  more  comprehensive,  and  my  affection 
for  you  more  tender  and  abiding.  The  official  relation  may  cease,  but 
my  love  and  friendship  for  you,  death  cannot  terminate. 

I  have  viewed  this  subject  in  every  light,  and  having  earnestly 
sought  the  guidance  of  God's  spirit,  it  appears  to  me  that  He  calls  me  to 
this  new  occupation.  I  have  been  lead  to  regard  it  as  the  most  im- 
portant appointment  that  any  man  could  receive.  There  is  no  higher 
calling  than  the  pastoral  relation,  and  the  training  of  those  who  occupy 
it,  must  be  the  highest  responsibility  that  can  ever  fall  upon  any  man. 

It  is  proper  for  me  to  say  that  I  did  not  seek  this  appointment. 
When  first  addressed  upon  the  subject,  I  could  only  say  that  I  would 
give  it  serious  consideration. 

There  are  peculiarities  connected  with  my  election  to  this  position 
that  are  quite  remarkable  and  almost  deprive  me  of  my  liberty  of 
choice. 

1 .  My  nomination  was  made  by  the  concurrence  of  our  whole  Synod. 
A  similar  degree  of  unanimity,  it  is  believed,  exists  in  the  other  Synod 
on  this  coast,  the  Synod  of  the  Pacific.     I  have  received  expressions  of 


confidence  and  congratulations  from  all  parts  of  the  Church,  and  many 
friends  outside  of  it. 

2.  The  brethren  concerned  in  the  Seminary  think  that  my  accept- 
ance will  give  a  new  impulse  to  Ministerial  education  on  this  coast, 
and  help  to  establish  our  Seminary  upon  a  firm  basis  and  make  it 
popular  among  the  churches.  From  every  direction  I  have  heard  the 
voices  of  Christian  people  who  think  it  is  my  duty  to  accept  the  appoint- 
ment. 

The  indications  of  God's  will  which  come  to  me  from  my  brethren, 
find  a  response  in  my  own  mind.  The  school  is  yet  in  its  infancy,  and 
much  remains  to  be  done  to  equip  it  and  make  it  adequate  to  the 
demands  of  the  present  time,  for  the  furtherance  of  the  gospel.  In  this 
department  of  the  Seminary  work  I  should  expect  to  engage. 

Many  of  you  have  said  that  there  is  evidently  the  guiding  hand  of 
God  in  it,  as  well  as  personal  fitness  for  the  work,  and  these  two 
circumstances  combine  to  gain  their  consent  to  sever  the  pastoral  tie, 
while  they  also  serve  to  encourage  your  pastor  ;  for  no  human  judgment 
can  have  so  much  weight  in  settling  and  satisfying  my  own  mind,  as 
the  deliberate  conclusions  of  the  intelligent  and  discriminating  people 
to  whom  I  have  ministered,  and  who  have  so  often  encouraged  me  by 
their  devout  attention  and  their  appreciation  of  my  pastoral  labors. 

Notice  was  given  on  Thursday  evening,  and  in  the  daily  papers,  of 
my  intention  to  offer  my  resignation  of  the  pastoral  office,  and  this 
action  has  been  expected  for  some  time  past.  Although  I  propose  not  to 
leave  you  for  a  few  weeks,  it  will  serve  the  convenience  of  the  Presby- 
tery if  you  will  take  action  to-day,  in  order  that  the  whole  subject  may 
be  laid  before  that  body  at  its  next  regular  meeting.  The  day  for 
declaring  the  pulpit  vacant,  can  be  chosen  after  consultation  at  Pres- 
bytery. 

To  the  guidance  of  the  Church's  Head,  and  to  your  decision,  I  com- 
mit this  request,  and  subscribe  myself, 

The  shepherd  of  the  flock  under  Christ,  and  your  servant,  for  His 

sake,  who  gave  His  life  for  the  sheep, 

A.  L.  LINDSLEY. 

Portland,  Or.,  Oct.  10th,  1886. 


Action  of  the  Presbytery, 


Whereas,  Rev.  A.  L.  Lindsley,  D.  D.,  has  done  a  most  faithful 
and  praiseworthy  work  during  his  pastorate  of  eighteen  years,  finding 
the  church  with  less  than  one  hundred  members,  burdened  with  a 
heavy  indebtedness,  and  under  his  faithful  direction  has  led  it  up  to 
be  the  largest  and  most  influential  church  in  the  Synod  of  the  Colum- 
bia, and  its  power  and  influence  acknowledged  throughout  the  whole 
of, the  Pacific  Coast ;  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  in  granting  the  request  of  Rev.  A.  L.  Lindsley,  D.D., 
and  dissolving  the  pastoral  relation,  the  Presbytery  of  Oregon,  with 
gratitude  to  God,  desires  to  record  its  satisfaction  and  appreciation  of  the 
pastoral  work  of  Rev.  A.  L.  Lindsley,  D.  D.,  and  to  express  its  cordial 
commendation  of  his  industry  and  power  as  a  preacher  and  a  pastor. 
We  most  devoutly  pray  that  the  Church  may  be  divinely  guided  in  the 
choice  of  a  new  pastor,  who  shall  take  the  great  responsibilities  which 
our  brother  is  laying  down,  and  carry  the  work  on  to  still  wider  and 
grander  achievements.  And  that  our  brother  now  released  may,  by 
the  blessing  of  God,  be  permitted  to  exert  a  widening  influence  in  the 
Master's  Kingdom  in  the  high  and  responsible  position  to  which  he 
has  been  called.  And  that  this  Presbytery  pledges  to  him  its  most 
hearty  support  in  his  efforts  to  enlarge  and  strengthen  a  sound  and 
reliable  school  for  the  training  of  a  Presbyterian  ministry  for  the  Pacific 
Coast. 


Remarks  of  the  Commissioners 
before   Presbytery. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  congregation  held  on  the  10th  of  October,  1886. 
Hon.  H.  W.  Corbett,  Thos.  N.  Strong  and  A.  W.  Stowell  were  ap- 
pointed commissioners  to  notify  the  Presbytery  of  the  resignation  of 
Dr.  Lindsley  and  of  its  acceptance  by  the  Church.  In  presenting  this 
resignation  and  the  resolutions  accepting  it,  which  was  done  October 
13th,  the  commissioners  added  the  following  remarks: 

Mr.  Moderator:  In  presenting  to  the  reverend  body  over  which 
you  preside  the  resolutions  we  have  just  read,  requesting  you  to  accede 
to  Dr.  Lindsley's  request  and  dissolve  the  pastoral  relation  now  exist- 
ing between  him  and  our  church,  we  feel  compelled  to  more  fully 
express  the  motives  and  feeling  of  our  congregation  and  membership. 

Dr.  Lindsley  came  to  us  on  the  31st  of  July,  1868,  over  eighteen  years 
ago.  At  that  time  we  were  a  young  and  struggling  church  with  only 
eighty-seven  resident  members,  burdened  with  a  heavy  debt,  and  strong 
only  in  faith  and  hope.  We  who  were  connected  with  it  at  that 
time  well  remember  the  situation  and  the  hopes  and  fears  of  our 
little  church,  as  it  sent  its  call  to  one  so  far  away  and  so  little  known 
to  it.  We  remember,  too,  the  prayers  that  went  up  from  the  church 
that  its  choice  might  be  blessed  to  it  and  our  young  community. 

It  is  with  a  feeling  of  reverential  thankfulness  that  we  now  recog- 
nize and  express  how  fully  the  prayers  of  the  church  were  answered 
and  her  hopes  realized. 

Under  Dr.  Lindsley's  prudent,  wise  and  loving  leadership,  that 
little  church  has  grown  steadily  in  spirit,  in  numbers  and  in  resources 
until  it  stands  to-day  a  recognized  power  for  good  not  only  in  Portland, 
but  in  the  world. 


Four  years  and  a  half  ago  it  numbered  Tour  hundred  and  twelve 
members.  This,  with  the  attendant  congregation,  overcrowded  the  old 
church,  and  the  first  migration  took  place  resulting  in  the  formation 
of  Calvary  church,  which  now  numbers  one  hundred  and  ninety-five 
members.  After  that  in  rapid  succession,  came  the  church  in  East 
Portland,  now  numbering  ninety-four  members;  St.  John's  in  North 
Portland,  now  numbering  fifty-five  members  ;  the  church  in  Albina, 
now  numbering  forty-nine  members;  the  church  at  Union  Ridge, 
W.  T.,  now  numbering  thirty-five  members,  and  the  church  at  Fort 
Wrangel,  now  numbering  fifty-four  members,  each  of  which  drew 
its  original  membership  and  resources  from  our  church.  For  a  mo- 
ment under  this  heavy  drain  the  old  church  apparently  fell  back,  and 
for  a  short  time  fear  came  on  its  members  that  it  had  overleaped  itself, 
but  only  for  a  moment.  Rapidly  and  steadily  the  gaps  filled  up,  and 
to-day  the  church  has  four  hundred  and  twenty-three  members,  eleven 
more  than  it  had  when  it  commenced  its  work  of  colonizing,  and  is 
stronger,  and  in  a  better  condition  financially,  morally  and  spiritually 
than  ever  before. 

Every  one  of  these  younger  churches  show  evidences  of  vigorous 
growth,  and  will,  we  trust,  soon  rival  in  strength  and  usefulness  the 
mother  church. 

This  alone  is  a  grand  work,  and  yet  it  is  but  a  portion  of  what, 
under  the  providence  of  God,  Dr.  Lindsley  has  been  able  to  accom- 
plish. Besides  paying  its  own  expenses,  and  acquiring  a  large  and 
valuable  property,  the  doctor's  church,  as  we  may  well  call  it,  has  dur- 
ing its  pastorate  raised  and  expended  for  outside  benevolent  purposes 
the  amount  of  $140,000  of  which  it  has  a  record,  besides  thousands  more 
of  which  no  record  is  possible.  Besides  this,  the  Seamen's  Home,  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association  and  all  kindred  enterprises  have 
been  helped  and  fostered.  The  Indian  missions  to  the  Alaskans,  Uma- 
tillas,  Puyallups,  Spokanes,  Nez  Perces  and  other  Indian  tribes  owe 
much  to  Dr.  Lindsley  and  the  church  over  which  he  presided.  Nor 
were  his  activities  confined  to  his  own  church,  or  its  work  ;  during  his 
pastorate  he  has  organized  twenty-one  churches  and  dedicated  twenty- 


two,  and  the  church  has  time  aud  again  sent  him  out  on  missionary 
work  all  over  the  Northwest  and  the  Pacific  coast. 

In  all  this,  the  church,  with  a  feeling  of  just  pride  in  its  minister 
and  of  grave  responsibility  for  the  management  of  the  talents  com- 
mitted to  its  charge,  rejoices  and  takes  comfort,  and  for  it,  under  God, 
thanks  the  able,  wise  and  loving  pastor  who  has  led  it  these  many 
years. 

Of  the  original  eighty-seven  members  but  twenty-seven  now  re- 
main with  us.  A  few  have  gone  to  other  churches,  and  the  great 
church  above  has  gathered  the  rest.  Those,  however,  who  are  alive 
and  all  the  later  members  of  the  church,  will  always  bear  in  mind 
more  and  more  tenderly  as  the  years  roll  on  the  loving,  faithful  minis- 
try of  Dr.  Lindsley.  Ever  faithful  and  diligent,  there  came  from  him 
no  uncertain  sound,  and  his  people  to  whom  he  has  ministered  in 
storm  and  in  sunshine,  in  sickness  and  in  health  for  so  long  a  time, 
had  in  him  a  loving,  wise  and  steadfast  counsellor.  Under  the  circum- 
stances, therefore,  it  was  but  natural  that  when  the  first  intimation 
came  that  a  wider  field  of  usefulness  was  opening  before  him,  that 
would  involve  his  separation  from  his  church,  that  both  he  and  it 
shrank  back.  But  more  and  more  clearly  it  became  apparent  that  it 
was  his  duty  to  accept  this  greater  responsibility,  and  ours  to  refrain 
from  withholding  him  from  his  Master's  work. 

And  so  at  his  earnest  request  we  now  release  him.  We  feel  that 
we  have  no  right  to  hold  him  back,  and  with  sorrowful  hearts  we  bid 
him  Godspeed  in  the  wider  field  of  usefulness  opened  before  him. 

We  have  much  to  be  thankful  for  in  the  past,  and  this  young  com- 
munity has  been  blessed,  in  that  one  so  able,  pure  and  influential  for 
good  has  given  so  many  of  his  best  days.  His  influence,  who  shall 
bound  it?  Working  as  he  has  at  the  very  fountain  heads  of  the  his- 
tory of  this  portion  of  the  world,  he  has  helped  in  no  slight  measure  to 
sweeten  and  purify  its  streams  forevermore.  Only  at  the  grand  muster 
of  the  resurrection  day  shall  his  work  be  made  fully  manfest  and 
the  jewels  of  his  crown  be  numbered. 

Who  shall  replace  him  in  this  church,  congregation  and  commun- 
ity?   Wo  know  not,  but  we  fan  only  trust  and  pray  that   the  God 


who  has  so  far  supported  and  upheld  his  great  church  upon  the  earth 
will  not  leave  this  little  flock  untended. 

We,  therefore,  make  known  to  you  that,  moved  by  these  considera- 
tions, we  consent  this  Presbytery  should  accede  to  the  request  of  Rev. 
A.  L.  Lindsley,  D.  D.,  and  dissolve  the  pastoral  relation  that  he  now 
bears  to  our  church,  and  one  and  all  we  prayerfully  invoke  upon  his 
head  the  choicest  blessings  of  the  prayer-hearing  God  that  he  has 
erved  so  long  and  faithfully. 


Farewell   Discourse . 


Delivered  ox  Sunday  Morning.  November  21,  1SS6. 


Acts  xxvi,  15-18.  "And  I  said,  who  art  thou,  Lord?  And  He  said,  1  am  Jesus 
whom  thou  persecutest.  16.  But  rise  and  stand  upon  thy  feet:  for  I  have  appeared 
unto  thee  for  this  purpose,  to  make  thee  a  minister  and  a  witness  both  of  these 
things  which  thou  has  seen,  and  of  those  in  the  which  I  will  appear  unto  thee;  17. 
Delivering  thee  from  the  people,  and  from  the  Gentiles,  unto  whom  now  I  send  thee, 
18,  To  open  their  eyes,  and  to  turn  them  from  darkness  to  light,  and  from  the  power 
of  Satan  unto  God,  that  they  may  receive  forgiveness  of  sins,  and  inheritance  among 
them  who  are  sanctified  by  faith  that  is  in  me.'" 


This  was  St.  Paul's  ordination  to  the  office  of  the  Gospel  ministry, 
and  his  apostolic  commission,  both  received  from  the  Head  of  the 
Church,  not  from  the  hands  of  men. 

Part  of  his  work  ended  with  his  life,  for  he  could  not  transmit  it. 
This  was  the  peculiar  service  of  an  Apostle,  which  no  man  could  assume 
and  no  presbytery  could  confer.  This  commission  appears  in  these 
words:  "To  appoint  thee  a  minister  and  a  witness  both  of  these  things 
which  thou  hast  seen,  and  of  those  things  in  the  which  I  shall  appear 
unto  thee." 

Xo  man  could  be  an  Apostle  who  had  not  seen  the  Lord,  and  who 
did  not  receive  his  appointment  direct  from  him.  But  the  substance  of 
the  Apostle's  office  belongs  to  the  ministry  which  Christ  ordained  to 
continue  to  the  end  of  time.  I  will  read  the  words  which  apply  to  the 
preacher,  evangelist  and  pastor  : 


Acts 26:16, 18.    "I  have  appeared  unto  thee  for  this  purpose    *    *    *    to 
open  the  eyes  of  them  to  whom  I  send  thee,  and  to  turn 
them  from  darkness  to  light,  and  from  the  power  of  Sa- 
tan unto  God,  that  they  may  receive  forgiveness  of  sins, 
and  the  inheritance  among  them  that  are  sanctified  by 
faith  in  me". 
We  understand  by  this  commission  the  full  work  of  the  gospel  min- 
istry, as  it  lay  in  the  mind  of  its  divine  founder:  it  was  appointed  to 
convey  the  knowledge  of  salvation  to  the  helpless  and  lost  and  guilty 
sons  of  men. 

The  sincere  minister  opens  the  eyes  of  the  blind  who  are  lost  in  the 
wilderness  of  sin,  and  are  therefore  helpless  :  to  guide  them  out  of  the 
darkness  to  Him  who  said: 

John  8:12.  "  I  am  the  light  of  the  world  ;  he  that  followeth  me  shall  not 
walk  in  the  darkness,  but  shall  have  the  light  of  life." 
In  guiding  them  to  the  Fountain  of  Light,  he  rescues  them  from 
the  Evil  One  who  is  lying  in  ambush  to  deceive  and  destroy;  he  brings 
them  into  the  presence  of  the  God  of  infinite  love,  that  they  may  receive 
the  forgiveness  of  their  sins  and  be  made  his  children  by  adoption,  and 
joint-heirs  with  the  well-beloved  Son  of  the  inheritance  which  is  re- 
served in  Heaven;  and  all  of  this  series  of  unspeakable  gifts  and  bless- 
ings abounding  within  us  and  around  us  through  the  riches  of  grace  in 
Christ  Jesus,  and  dependent  upon  faith  in  Him. 

The  Apostle  exercised  his  sacred  gifts  with  supreme  devotion.  "He 
was  not  disobedient  to  the  heavenly  vision"  when  he  showed  them 
that  they  should  repent  and  turn  to  God*. 

He  was  a  man  of  great  learning,  and  a  lawyer  ol  rising  eminence; 
but  he  laid  all  his  resources  under  contribution  to  set  forth  the  salvation 
of  the  Cross  and  the  glory  of  the  Redeemer. 

The  thought  of  his  own  inablility  to  save  men  kept  him  humble, 
yet  the  grandeur  of  his  theme  made  him  soar  to  the  skies.  He  caught 
the  fire  from  the  altar,  and  brought  it  down  to  kindle  devotion  in 
human  hearts.     He  said  of  himself: 


•Acta  26:19,  20. 


Eph.3:8, o.      "Unto  me  who  am  less  than  the  least  of  all  saints,  is  this 
grace  given,  that  I  should  preach  *    *    the  un- 

searchable riches  of  Christ;  and  to  make  all  men  see 
what  is  the  fellowship  of  the  mystery  which  from  the 
beginning  of  the  world  hath  been  hid  in  God." 
But  within  all  that  this  Apostle  ever  said  or  wrote,  stood  character; 
and  this  gave  weight  to  what  he  said,  helped  by  the  power  of  God.     His 
talents,  his  legal  training,  his  eloquence,  all  his  gifts  and  graces,  were 
less  influential  than  the  character  which  he  possessed.     And  we  find 
in  the  following  words  the  key  to  it  all: 

2  Cor.  1:12.       "  Our  rejoicing  is  this,  the  testimony  of  our  conscience,  that 
in  simplicity  and  godly  sincerity,  not  with  fleshly  wis- 
dom but  by  the  grace  of  God,  we  have  had  our  conver- 
sation in  the  world." 
This  explains  his  life.     It  shows  us  what  the  principles  were  that 
regulated  his  conversation  in  the  Church  and  in  the  world.        He  is 
showing  us,  therefore,  just  what  the  character  of  a  true  preacher  should 
be.    His  conscience  is  enlightened  by  a  knowledge  of  God's  will  and  he 
obeys  its  dictates.     Therefore  he  has  the  testimony  of  his  conscience. 

When  this  faculty  has  its  supreme  place,  it  moulds  a  state  of  mind 
called  conscientiousness;  and  this  is  essential  to  personal  worth .  It 
should  rest  like  the  pillars  of  a  noble  structure  upon  the  granite  founda- 
tions of  character;  and  then  they  will  lift  aloft  the  glory  and  the  beauty 
of  the  whole. 

Then  conscientiousness  will  appear  in  simplicity;  it  has  no  time  to 
dally  with  error  or  temptation.  For  conscience  dwells  in  light,  and 
rebukes  duplicity  in  speech,  conduct,  heart  and  mind. 

Another  word  for  simplicity  is  singleness;  and  our  Saviour  said: 
"If  thine  eye  be  single,  thy  whole  body  shall  be  full  of  light." 

This  the  Apostle  meant  when  he  said,  "This  one  thing  I  do,"  * 
as  he  pressed  with  singleness  of  aim  toward  the  mark  which  was  not 
double.  The  simplicity  of  his  character  found  expression  when  he 
said,    "I  determined  not  to  know  anything  among  you   save  Jesus 


Phil.3:i:i. 


io 

Christ  and  him  crucified."  He  it  was  who  also  spoke  of  the  simplicity 
that  is  in  Christ,  and  he  labored  to  make  men  rejoice  in  the  testimony 
of  their  own  conscience  that  they  might  please  God  rather  than  men. 

To  this  virtue  the  Apostle  added  sincerity,  which,  perhaps,  relates 
to  his  speech;  being  very  desirous  to  speak  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 
And  it  was  godly  sincerity.  For  salvation  was  so  great  a  blessing  and 
upon  which  hung  the  weight  of  souls,  that  the  Apostle  aimed  with 
all  his  self-conviction  to  show  that  God  was  infinitely  sincere  in  pro- 
viding it. 

These  admirable  qualities  the  Apostle  rejoiced  in.  He  was  in  labors 
abundant,  in  perils  often,  and  in  temptations  great;  from  all  which  he 
might  have  escaped  if  he  had  run  his  career  by  the  maxims  of  "fleshly 
wisdom."  But  now  he  rejoiced  that  he  had  run  it  "by  the  grace  of 
God,"  and  had  persuaded  multitudes  to  follow  him. 

This  great  Apostle's  conscience  testified  to  his  faithfulness.     So  clear 
was  this  testimony  that  he  rejoiced  in  it  also.     And  in  this  view,  it  is 
very  suggestive  that  he  could  say  to  the  Ephesian  elders: 
Acts  20:27.       "  I  have  not  shunned  to  declare  unto  you  the  whole  coun- 
sel of  God." 

All  preachers  can  safely  follow  his  example  with  wisdom  from  on 
high  to  guide  them  in  the  selection  of  topics  which  belong  to  God's 
counsel,  and  in  the  treatment  of  them.  For  some  of  his  counsel  is  very 
mysterious,  and  bewildering  to  ordinary  hearers,  and  to  young  people. 
I  have  thought  it  was  not  wise  to  dwell  much  upon  them.  Such  are  the 
doctrines  of  the  entrance  of  sin,  and  of  the  election  of  a  part  of  the  race  to 
salvation  ;  and  the  doctrine  of  everlasting  punishment  I  have  chosen  to 
treat  as  a  logical  deduction  from  the  Law  of  God  which,  being  broken 
and  set  at  naught,  must  exact  the  penalty  unless  the  Law-giver  vacates 
the  Judgment-seat  and  renounces  his  sovereignty,  and  flings  his  sceptre 
into  the  hands  of  Satan. 

Upon  this  threshold  we  have  aimed  to  show  that  the  Gospel  is  an 
expedient  of  mercy  suspending  the  law  of  retribution  which  prevails 
in  all  the  Universe,  in  order  that  during  the  reprieve,  the  terms  of 
pardon  might  be  considered  and  accepted,  so  that  when  the  Gospel 
stands  no  longer  in  the  way,  and  the  Law  flashes  back  its  awful  pen- 


II 

alty,  the  rescued  ones  should  come  forth  from  the  final  conflagration 
without  the  smell  of  fire  upon  the  imperishable  robes  of  their  acquired 
righteousness. 

And  how  did  they  acquire  the  righteousness  that  triumphed  over 
the  penalty  ?    A  prophet  exclaims: 

Isaiah  63:1.  "Who  is  this  that  cometh  from  Edom,  with  dyed  garments 
from  Bozrah,  this  that  is  glorious  in  his  apparel,  travel- 
ing in  the  greatness  of  his  strength?" 

Listen  for  his  answer,  as  he  sinks  the  mountains  of  transgression 
to  make  a  highway  for  our  God, 

"I  that  speak  in  righteousness,  mighty  to  save  !" 

The  coming  of  God  manifest  in  human  nature,  his  teachings,  his 
miracles,  his  sufferings,  his  resurrection,  ascension  and  intercession, 
his  everlasting  kingdom  and  glory — ah,  these  are  the  themes  which  I 
have  delighted  to  dwell  upon,  together  with  the  nature  of  faith, 
repentance,  justification  and  sanctification. 

I  have  honored  the  Holy  Spirit,  as  administrator  of  the  kingdom  of 
Christ  on  earth  during  his  bodily  presence  in  Heaven,  especially  to 
teach  the  world  the  guilt  and  misery  and  desert  of  sin  ;  to  persuade  us 
to  believe ;  to  show  us  our  pardon  ;  to  transform  us  into  the  spirit  of 
adoption ;  to  incline  us  to  lead  a  holy  life,  after  Christ's  example,  and 
to  discharge  our  duty  to  the  Church,  and  to  the  world  ;  and  to  enable  us 
to  persevere,  that  we  may  never  renounce  what  he  has  taught  us;  to 
anoint  our  eyes  that  we  may  seek  another  country,  even  a  heavenly, 
while  our  lives  are  hid  with  Christ  in  God. 

This  is  what  being  born  again  means  ;  this  is  being  renewed  in  the 
spirit  of  the  mind  ;  this  is  being  created  in  the  righteousness  and  holi- 
ness of  the  truth  after  the  image  of  Him  that  creates  us  in  Christ  unto 
good  works  "  which  God  before  ordained  that  we  should  walk  in  them.'' 

The  preacher  who  proclaims  these  truths  is  sowing  the  seeds  of 
character  that  shall  abide  forever.  They  shall  bear  the  fruit  of  the 
Spirit  which  is  life  everlasting. 

And  character  is  the  essence  of  life.  All  that  is  realty  permanent 
about  us  is  personal  worth ;  and  all  that  is  worth  saving  about  us  is  the 
fruit  of  virtue — the  goodness  we  have  encouraged ;  the  sufferings  we 


12 

have   relieved:   the  fallen  we  have  lifted  up:   the  I   we  havr 

rescued.— all  the  our  _  spring  which  is  hidden  in 

Cfc.  -    »uilt  up  with  principle,  which  is  the  granite  laid  in  the 

wall.  -  meat    which   binds  the 

whole       !  These  principles  must  be  moral  and  religiou-.     No 

principles  should  be  wrought  in:  rr  which  are  not  permanent 

and  which  will  not  survive  the  m  N  racter  which  is 

:  moral  principle  can  endure  the  strain  of  our  common  life: 
and  no  morale  _h  to  endure  it  which  is  without  the 

nasi  e  inwrousrht  with  the  fiber  of 
character.  It  alone  can  reinforce  natural  virtue,  and  give  both  light 
and  df     -  ral  questions  as  they  arise,  and  thus  the  immortal 

powers  are  trained  for  |  :id  efficient  action  in  this  world,  and 

prepared  for  L;_  in  the  kingdom  of  G 

I  have  not  thought  that  ;:  -ay  to  build  up  character  w.  i  I 

•".--_  .nual  assault  upon  particular  sins  and  fashionable  follies  ; 

but  that  the  best  way  to  remove  them  was  to  inculcate  the  opposite 
virtues.  As  -  I  commend  the  Christian  graces  in  their  beauty  and 
excellency,  that  they  would  supplant  the  inclinations  of  corrupt  or 
polished  lusts.  It  is  written:  "  Walk  in  the  Spirit,  and  ye  shall  not 
fulfil  the  lusts  of  the  Heal 

Inspire  with  the  holier  motive,  and  it  will  ward 

_rd  the  mark  of  the  high  calling.**  M  forgetting  th^  things  that  are 
behind  and  reaching  forth."     When  char.  -     -  -:raint 

-^sure  and  self-denial  si 
en  ebameto         i     -vth.    It  is  invisible  only  as  a  purposeful  life 
:.g  formed  within.    All   reform* 
cultu:  inent.  just   as  they    i  • 

nd  this  is  to  grow  in  grace  and  in  loving  acquaint- 
ed fellowship  with  the  Lord  Je-u-  Christ.     This  is  the  highest 
attain  ur  nature.     It  begins  with  being  born  anew,  and  end- 

in  likenes-  to  Christ  the  f      :-tural  approach  to  the  Christian 


StaL  i   -- 


J3 

ideal.  It  is  the  answer  to  the  Apostle's  prayer,  and  the  end  of  hi.^ 
labors,  "Christ  within  the  hope  of  glory."  * 

This  growth  the  ministry  is  ordained  to  inculcate  and  superintend. 
The  pastors  whom  God  declared  to  be  after  his  own  heart,  are  those  that 
11  feexTthe'people  with  knowledge  and  understanding,"  and  Paul  (Eph- 
4,)  says  the  design  of  our  Lord  in  ordaining  them  was  the  "perfecting 
of  the  saints,  the  edifying  of  the  body  of  Christ."  The  chief  work  of 
the  ministry,  therefore,  is  to  build  up  the  people  into  a  strong  and 
manly  religious'character  ;  to  establish  them  in  the  doctrines  of  grace  ; 
and  to  guide  them  in  sanctified  efforts  for  the  salvation  of  a  perishing 
world. 

Such  is  the  controlling  and  strenuous  aim  of  the  ministry  :  and  I 
have  spared  nothing  that  could  help  me  to  gain  it,  for  your  sakes.  A 
few  words  will  explain  my  preparation  for  it,  and  give  you  an  insight 
into  the  current  of  thought  and  devotion  upon  which  I  have  caused  you 
to  float  in  sermons  and  lectures  and  prayers. 

I  was  early  devoted  to  the  Christian  ministry;  but  my  studies  in 
various  branches  of  the  liberal  education  increased  my  thirst  for  univer- 
sal knowledge  and  led  me  to  prepare  myself  for  another  pursuit.  [ 
thought  I  could  not  acquire  a  comprehensive  education  if  I  should  fol- 
low the  sacred  profession;  and  this  caused  me  to  waver,  especially  as  I 
had  an  inextinguishable  thirst  both  for  literary  studies  and  scientific 
investigations.  And  over  this  vast  area  of  human  knowledge,  I  de- 
lighted to  push  philosophical  speculation  to  its  utmost  verge. 

But  I  could  not  banish  from  my  thoughts  that  the  most  compre- 
hensive culture  could  be  employed  in  vindicating  the  ways  of  God  to 
man,  and  that  the  brightest  flower  and  fruit  of  such  an  education  would 
only  bring  the  richer  contributions  to  the  altar  of  consecration  to  Him 
by  whom  the  worlds  were  made,  the  Lord  of  angels,  the  Maker  and 
Redeemer  of  mankind. 

And  to  this  conclusion  was  I  brought  at  last  ;  and  I  think  that  it 
is  worthy  of  mention  now  as  giving  you  a  substantial  reason  for  my 
manifold  efforts  to  convince  you  that  the  whole  system  of  the  Universe 

Col.  1:27, 


«4 

seen  and  unseen,  and  all  the  philosophical  theories  that  have  ever  been 
broached  among  men,  and  all  the  real  attainments  of  knowledge,  can  be 
followed  up  to  their  meeting-place  of  perfect  harmony  in  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ. 

I  have  entered  the  conflict  between  faith  and  reason,  science  and 
religion,  not  as  a  combatant,  but  as  a  peacemaker  capable  by  my  own 
studies  to  lay  my  hand  upon  the  one  with  an  inflexible  grasp,  and  by 
the  grace  of  God  upon  the  other,  with  the  clearest  convictions  of  the 
truths  revealed  in  Holy  Scripture,  centering  in  the  gift  of  eternal  life 
to  the  sincere  followers  of  the  Son  of  God. 

1  think  that  I  was  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God  who  the  Saviour  said 
should  guide  his  disciples  into  all  the  truth,  to  dedicate  myself  anew  to 
the  ministry  after  having  acquired  these  comprehensive  and  saving 
views  of  God's  relation  to  the  Universe,  and  of  man's  relation  to  God. 
All  consistent  lines  of  thought  lead  again  to  the  center,  Christ. 

A  desire  to  exhibit  the  grounds  for  our  faith  in  Christ,  as  the  author 
of  the  only  religion  for  the  world,  has  always  been  controlling  and 
overwhelming.  I  have  never  been  able  to  reach  the  top  of  the  high 
argument  to  my  own  satisfaction  ;  and  sometimes  I  have  painfully  felt 
that  I  have  not  made  the  deep  impression  upon  my  hearers  which  the 
subject  deserved, — but  which  the  advocate  was  unable  to  make. 

No  expression  can  compass  the  exalted  nature  of  the  subject;  and 
they  feel  this  most  who  have  most  tried  to  express  it. 

Yet,  after  all,  if  only  a  few  are  deeply  impressed  with  the  grandeur 
of  the  atonement  and  the  efficacy  of  the  Christian  faith,  it  were  enough 
to  reward  the  utmost  endeavors  of  the  preacher  to  make  the  doctrines 
plain. 

Mind  rules  our  country.  The  thinking  of  master  minds  in  one  age 
often  becomes  the  popular  opinions  of  the  next.  This  transfusion  is 
effected  by  the  diligence  of  the  earnest  thinkers  who  perceive  what 
civilization  needs  to  expand  it  as  well  as  to  urge  it  onward. 

The  same  is  true  of  the  progress  of  the  gospel.  A  few  spirits  gifted 
with  such  prophecies  and  gathering  around  central  thoughts,  push  them 
forward  into  the  midst,  and  compel  the  attention  of  similar  spirits  who 
enlist  in  the  cause.     The  circumference  widens  as  new  circles  of  in- 


*5 

fluence  are  created,  like  the  watch-fires  that  illuminate  a  vast  encamp- 
ment at  night. 

God  directs  the  thinkers  of  one  age  who  are  to  impress  their  ideas 
upon  a  succeeding  one.  They  are  not  always  conscious  that  they  are 
moving  under  the  direction  of  God's  spirit. 

Saul  was  among  the  prophets,  but  he  acted  contrary  to  the  will  of 
God.  In  the  history  of  the  race  many  a  Saul  appears,  and  some  of 
them  do  not  know  that  God  could  say  to  them,  "for  this  purpose  I  have 
raised  thee  up." 

In  this  manner  we  explain  the  well-known  fact  that  writers  who 
disregard  the  revealed  will  of  God,  often  outline  improvement  in  gov- 
ernments and  reforms  in  society,  which  are  taken  up  by  the  Church  in 
process  of  time;  and  made  to  do  efficient  work  in  the  cause  of  the 
world's  hnal  redemption. 

This  is  only  a  further  proof  that  all  things  in  Heaven  and  on 
earth,  and  under  the  earth,  shall  contribute  to  the  glory  of  Christ  and 
the  triumph  of  his  cause. 

There  are  ministers  in  all  denominations  who  are  qualified  to 
occupy  these  exalted  outlooks  and  survey  the  whole  scene  with  a 
prophet's  ken.  They  conduct  from  every  spring  the  streams  that  flow 
toward  the  great  fountain  of  human  cleansing  and  enlightenment. 

While  I  feel  like  one  of  old  who  wrote  that  he  was  one  of  the  least 
of  all  saints,  I  have  also  been  most  keenly  alive  to  the  unspeakable 
importance  of  gathering  from  the  broad  field  of  truth  in  nature,  phil- 
osophy and  history,  whatever  could  help  "to  make  all  men  see  what  is 
the  fellowship  of  the  mystery  which,  from  the  beginning  of  the  world, 
hath  been  hid  in  God." 

You  perceive  that  the  "mystery"  was  to  be  explained,  and  there- 
fore no  longer  remained  hidden.  And  it  was  not  to  be  for  the  benefit 
of  a  few,  but  there  was  to  be  a  fellowship  in  it,  for  God  was  no  respecter 
of  persons,  and  the  Apostle  wrote  "to  make  all  men  see,"  and  seeing  to 
enter  into  the  fellowship.  And  therefore  we  are  penetrated  and  pos- 
sessed with  the  inextinguishable  desire  to  make  the  men  of  this  gener- 
ation see  it ;  and  each  in  our  allotted  sphere  to  gather  the  resources  of 
argument  and  illustration  in  order  to  pour  the  whole,  like  tides  of  living 


i6 

light,  upon  the  entire  community.  This  will  impart  the  most  valuable 
knowledge  to  the  general  mind,  and  incline  it  to  apprehend  the  truth 
of  Christianity ;  and  thereby  prevent  or  cure  the  skepticism  which  is 
born  of  ignorance  and  bred  by  the  vague  assumptions  of  one-sided  phil- 
osophers, cavernous  researches,  and  fossilized  speculation.  When  this 
is  made  to  appear,  evangelical  Christianity  will  compel  respect,  and  the 
minds  of  the  young  and  uninformed  will  not  be  so  constantly  assailed 
by  false  assumptions. 

And  so  it  happened  that  the  student  who  had  loved  the  classic 
literatures,  and  looked  with  delight  upon  the  capabilities  of  his  own 
mother-tongue,  and  had  gone  forth  into  the  domain  of  nature,  and  read 
the  story  of  the  rocks  and  rebuilt  the  fossils  into  living  forms  ;  and  anon 
penetrated  the  sidereal  universe  in  an  ecstacy  of  intellectual  fervor ; 
now  turned  with  the  warm  glow  of  spiritual  devotion  to  behold  the 
light  which  guided  the  wise  men  to  Bethlehem,  and  thereafter  shown 
with  increasing  lustre  as  it  rose,  bidding  fair  to  illuminate  the  whole 
world  of  mankind. 

Now  it  must  be  apparent  to  every  thoughtful  mind  that  the  aim  of 
this  culture  should  be  ever  single  and  prominent.  The  aim  will  admit 
of  no  division  or  diversion.  It  should  be  no  less  than  the  Master's,  who 
came  to  redeem  mankind  by  making  them  new  creatures.  As  He  sur- 
veyed the  scene  which  ended  with  the  Cross,  He  exclaimed,  "How  am 
[  straightened  till  it  be  accomplished  !" 

But  the  renewal  was  not  to  be  accomplished  by  any  worldly  means, 
or  any  intellectual  or  scientific  end.  Culture  could  not  do  it.  Philoso- 
phy was  weak  when  it  claimed  to  be  strongest.  And  the  soul  of  the 
most  eminent  in  any  literary  or  artistic  pursuit  is  just  as  much  lost 
without  a  humble  trust  in  a  divine  Redeemer,  as  if  he  had  never  been 
translated  from  the  lowliest  cot  of  the  child  of  ignorance  or  bondage. 

The  minister  who  fails  to  do  this,  fails  in  efficiency  as  a  preacher.  He 
has  missed  his  mark,  and  missed  it  most  widely  when  he  aimed  too  high; 
for  the  mass  of  his  hearers  are  persons  who  come  to  be  persuaded  by  the 
voice  of  the  preacher,  craving  a  knowledge  of  the  truth,  indeed,  but  long- 
ing to  have  it  conveyed  in  a   warm  and  sympathetic  manner,  and 


expressed  with  simplicity  and  sincerity,  as  the  fruitage  of  his  devout 
studies,  and  the  pulsations  of  his  heart. 

And  this  gives  the  occupant  of  the  pulpit  his  real  power;  which 
must  be  replenished  by  a  continual  resort  to  the  sources  of  divine 
knowledge,  while  he  stands  abreast  of  all  the  substantial  progress  of  the 
times,  and  turns  it  to  the  account  of  the  welfare  of  his  fellow-creatures 
for  time  and  eternity. 

The  ministry  is  not  and  must  not  be  exclusively  confined  to  college- 
bred  men.  There  are  preachers  without  the  advantages  of  learning 
who  are  endowed  with  gifts  of  nature  and  grace  which  enable  them  to 
bring  many  souls  into  the  kingdom.  With  thanks  to  God  who  raises 
up  such  men  to  rebuke  the  pride  of  high  culture  and  remind  the  min- 
istry with  whom  the  residue  of  power  dwells,  it  must  still  be  apparent 
that  intellectual  training  cannot  be  dispensed  with.  The  man  in  any 
profession  who  is  able  to  influence  his  contemporaries  has  staying  power, 
because  he  knows  where  his  resources  are  and  how  to  use  them,  whether 
they  are  stored  like  securities  in  a  bank-vault,  and  the  possessor  hold- 
ing the  secret  of  the  combination  lock ;  or  whether  they  lie  upon  the 
open  field  of  nature,  and  the  searcher  one  who  has  learned  how  to 
interrogate  her;  or  whether  they  are  the  thoughts  of  the  world's 
thinkers  which  he  has  studied,  or  the  works  of  the  world's  builders 
which  he  has  surveyed.  A  man  cannot  cultivate  his  powers  too  highly 
to  serve  Christ  and  his  fellow  men.  Such  is  the  view  of  the  most  emi- 
nent Christians  in  all  denominations. 

But  a  great  danger  rises  at  this  point.  It  is  the  danger  of  making 
a  breach  between  the  educated  ministry  and  the  unevangelized  masses. 
It  is  the  danger  that  exists  in  all  stages  of  culture  or  education.  The 
classes  drift  apart  by  natural  tendency.  But  whether  a  breach  is  made 
between  the  educated  preacher  and  the  untrained  masses  of  the 
people,  depends  upon  the  spirit  of  the  man.  The  cause  of  Christ  de- 
mands the  enlarged  education.  Modern  progress  demands  it.  We 
must  have  educated  ministers;  and  they  must  not  drift  away  from 
the  people,  nor  let  the  masses  drift  away  from  them. 

The  preventive  is,  not  in  abridging  true  culture,  but  in  educating 
the  people  to  relish  discourse  which  combines  nature  and  revelation, 


iS 

and  works  over  both  in  such  a  way  as  to  purify,  console,  enlighten  and 
edify  every  one  in  the  congregation,  young  and  old,  and  to  unite  all  in 
the  bonds  of  sacred  fellowship  and  the  hope  of  everlasting  life  ;  and  all 
being  made  to  sit  together  in  heavenly  places  in  Christ  Jesus. 

To  make  a  sermon  like  this,  a  man  need  not  parade  any  of  his 
scholarship.  He  keeps  his  machinery  out  of  sight,  like  the  great  motive 
power  in  the  steamship  that  holds  on  her  way  through  storm  or  calm. 
Just  such  a  demonstration  should  every  sermon  be,  inviting  all  passen- 
gers to  a  hospitable  entertainment  and  a  safe  voyage. 

If  the  masses  do  not  come  to  the  church,  let  the  minister  take  the 
church  to  the  masses.  To  do  this  he  will  find  all  the  discipline  and 
scholarship  which  he  can  acquire  available,  and  every  energy  of  his 
being  must  be  made  auxiliary  to  labor  and  to  serve.  He  will  give  nerve 
and  direction  to  associations  outside  of  his  own  congregation  in  schools 
and  colleges,  in  salutary  reforms,  in  special  missions  to  the  outcast  and 
exposed,  in  secular  charities,  and  in  all  Christ-like  ways;  and  he  will 
employ  the  press  to  give  wider  information,  casting  the  weight  of  all 
his  influence  upon  the  pathway  of  mankind  toward  the  coming  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  * 

Profoundly  convinced  of  the  sin  and  want  of  human  hearts  and  of 
the  all-sufficiency  of  Christ  to  relieve  them,  the  utterances  of  this  pulpit 
have  dwelt  upon  the  soul  and  its  salvation,  the  Saviour  and  His  redeem- 
ing mercy,  the  adopting  love  of  God  shed  abroad  in  the  heart  by  the 
Holy  Spirit,  the  transforming  influence  of  faith  in  the  unseen,  and  the 
sure  realizations  of  hope  anchored  in  the  oath-bound  promises.  The 
light  which  shines  upon  the  pulpit  has  radiated  to  the  outer  rim  of  hu- 
man interests ;  for  nothing  that  concerns  our  race  should  be  foreign  to 
the  pulpit.  Rulers  and  statesmen  are  busy  with  the  affairs  of  nations  ; 
but  the  progress  of  Christian  undertakings  at  home  and  abroad  is  a 
more  absorbing  study  than  any  other  that  can  occupy  the  mind  of  the 
world. 

*  "  It  may  be  glorious  to  write            [three  But  better  far  it  is  to  speak 

Thoughts  that  shall  glad  the  two  or  The  simple  words  that  now  and  then 

Highsoulslikethosefaistarsthatcome  Shall  waken  a  newnature  in  the  weak 

Once  in  a  century:                     [insight  And  sinful  sons  of  men." 


Amidst  these  multiplied  claims  the  church  and  its  ordinances  must 
ever  stand  foremost.  It  is  "the  church  of  the  living  God,  the  pillar 
and  ground  of  the  truth."  All  things  must  be  made  tributary  to  its 
advancement  and  its  glory.  The  minister  standing  at  its  altars,  sows 
the  seed  on  fields  of  various  promise,  cultivates  it,  rising  early  and 
working  late;  then  waits  for  the  harvest.  He  shall  reap  as  he  has 
sown.  "  He  that  soweth  bountifully  shall  also  reap  bountifully." 
Sometimes  the  fruitage  comes  from  heathen  lands,  sometimes  from  the 
sea.  But  what  harvest  is  so  delightful  as  the  ingathering  of  souls  from 
the  families  composing  the  congregation  ?  When  the  strong  man 
brings  the  vigor  of  his  days  to  the  altar  of  dedication — when  the  faith- 
ful woman  adds  the  crown  of  godliness  to  her  virtues— it  is  bright  evi- 
dence of  the  power  of  divine  truth  upon  the  conscience  and  the  heart. 
This  is  to  many  the  best  proof  that  can  be  afforded  of  the  efficacy  of 
the  Gospel  working  its  silent  convictions  in  the  mind,  and  its  trans- 
formations in  the  spirit :  and  thus  the  harvest  after  much  tillage  ap- 
pears. But  to  a  pastor's  heart  no  sight  is  so  cheering  as  the  groups  of 
children  that  yield  to  the  claims  of  the  Son  of  God,  and  being  led  by 
His  Spirit  devote  their  young  being  to  His  service.  No  garden  is  so 
promising  as  this,  and  none  so  beautiful.  It  should  be  cultivated  with 
increasing  diligence  by  parents  and  pastors  and  teachers.  When  this 
fruit  is  gathered  in,  the  first  intention  of  the  church  operates  harmo- 
niously, for  the  saints  young  and  old  are  only  children  of  God  always 
growing  up  to  the  fullness  of  the  stature  of  Christ.  The  times  demand 
the  strenuous  efforts  of  pastors  and  people  to  bring  the  children  to  de- 
cision. Impressions  must  be  followed  up.  The  greatest  encourage- 
ment should  be  given  to  pastors  not  only  at  home  but  in  the  Sunday 
school  and  in  the  church.  Sermons  to  children  should  be  welcomed  by 
the  presence  of  those  for  whom  they  are  prepared,  and  if  constraint  is 
needed,  should  it  not  be  employed?— wisely,  indeed,  but  persistently  and 
affectionately,  deeming  but  little  gained  until  the  end  is  secured.  Ear- 
lier than  ever  before  are  the  children  drawn  away  from  the  father's  tu- 
telage and  the  mother's  tender  care.  If  they  hear  not  the  voice  of  the 
good  Shepherd  now,  what  hope  should  we  entertain  that  they  will  hear 
it  when  the  world's  clamors  fill  their  ears? 


20 

I  have  labored  in  revivals  in  which  much  the  largest  proportion  of 
converts  were  children  and  youth.  And  no  sight  has  blest  the  pastor's 
eyes  so  beautiful  and  even  glorious  as  when  he  gazed  upon  the  innocent 
faces  and  into  the  uplifted  eyes  of  children  standing  here  and  taking 
upon  themselves  the  vows  which  their  parents  assumed  on  their  behalf; 
and  mingled  with  them  children  of  unconverted  parents  made  wel- 
come in  the  fold. 

Our  joy  abounds  when  Christianity  wins  victories  upon  the  fields 
of  conflict  with  various  forms  of  hostility.  We  are  deeply  moved  in 
the  advance  of  salutary  reforms  when  stoutly  contested  positions  have 
been  carried,  or  turned  to  account  of  human  welfare  :  but  the  church's 
embrace  of  the  young  are  the  arms  of  a  mother  thrown  around  her 
offspring  with  a  grasp  that  never  relaxes :  and  in  that  embrace  is  the 
transmission  of  a  new  enlivening  of  every  grace,  and  confirming  the 
character  that  it  may  be  developed  into  symmetry  and  consistency 
after  the  pattern  of  the  child  Jesus.  O  honored  mother!  whose  arms 
are  full  of  them,— they  shall  be  your  glory  and  your  defence  as  the 
years  press  on !  They  shall  learn  Christ  without  the  friction  of  evil 
passions,  without  the  dislocations  of  worldly  habits,  without  the  clash 
of  opposing  interests,  or  the  compromises  of  trade  which  is  conducted 
contrary  to  the  commandments  of  God,  or  the  purity,  truth  and  char- 
ity of  religion.  These  are  the  shields  of  the  mighty.  These  are  the 
panoply  of  the  church,  and  the  guardians  of  the  nation.  They  are  also 
the  purest  gems  in  the  pastor's  crown  ;  and  their  lustre  shall  brighten 
as  the  ages  roll. 

In  approaching  the  severance  of  my  official  relation  to  this  church, 
I  deem  it  becoming  to  state  some  facts  and  offer  some  reflections. 

Nineteen  years  have  passed  away  since  the  call  was  addressed  to 
me.  Although  I  declined  it  then,  its  renewal  prevailed,  and  I  first 
saw  this  place  eighteen  years  ago  last  July.  I  immediately  assumed 
my  pastoral  work.  I  hope  I  shall  be  pardoned  if  I  speak  of  myself  at 
the  end  of  my  ministry  among  you,  as  my  motive  is  not  now  liable 
to  be  misunderstood,  especially  as  I  have  with  almost  total  silence 
abstained  from  references  to  myself  in  public  or  private. 


ii 

I  had  invitations  to  churches  in  eastern  cities  and  San  Francisco  : 
but  I  was  led  to  accept  your  call  in  consequence  of  what  I  believed  to 
be  the  dictate  of  Divine  Providence  in  connection  with  my  own  in- 
clinations ;  for  I  had  always  felt  a  prevailing  disposition  to  devote  my 
life  to  missionary  work ;  and  I  regarded  Portland  as  the  center  of  a 
vast  missionary  field.  I  will  frankly  say  that  Portland,  considered  by 
itself  at  that  time,  was  not  sufficient.  I  was  bound  to  use  the  powers 
that  God  had  given  me  and  which  had  been  improved  by  some  degree 
of  culture  and  experience,  upon  the  widest  field  that  I  could  compass 
by  His  grace;  and  after  a  full  consideration  of  this  locality  and  the 
territory  which  stretched  out  from  it  in  every  direction,  the  circum- 
stances which  determined  my  mind  were  peculiarly  impressive  and 
providential.  They  formed  an  epoch  in  my  life.  They  were  decisive. 
They  led  me  to  embark  in  the  greater  work  which  I  believe  God 
assigned  to  me  in  this  extensive  region  of  our  country.  There  were 
but  four  Presbyterian  ministers  in  active  service,  and  many  fields  were 
already  white  to  the  harvest.  Yet  no  laborers  were  coming.  I  could 
not  withhold  my  voice,  nor  pen,  nor  presence,  and  I  cast  all  my 
powers  and  resources  into  the  work. 

In  the  progress  of  my  ministry  I  have  had  to  encounter  criticisms, 
and  I  gave  them  most  respectful  consideration.  But  I  could  not  forget 
that  when  adverse  opinion  came  to  me,  it  was  not  authority  which 
must  be  obeyed,  but  as  a  subject  for  serious  examination  and  prayer. 
A  little  more  grace  and  a  little  more  confiding  in  the  pastor,  or  willing- 
ness to  let  him  act  out  his  convictions,  would  have  in  many  instances 
made  his  work  easier  and  his  heart  merrier ;  but  I  acted  on  the  principle 
of  going  on  with  the  work  of  the  Lord,  whether  aided  by  many  or  by 
few,  in  the  belief  that  the  cause  would  grapple  the  hearts  and  con- 
sciences of  some  of  my  people,  if  not  all,  and  the  Lord's  work  would 
prosper;  and  in  this  I  have  not  been  wholly  disappointed. 

During  these  years  the  temporalities  of  the  church  have  been  ably 
conducted.  The  trustees  have  maintained  its  credit  by  meeting  all 
obligations,  sometimes  largely  at  their  own  expense.  They  have 
carried  into  its  business  transactions  the  maxims  which  regulate  sec- 
ular affairs  among  prudent  managers. 


To  the  Session,  as  constituted  at  different  periods,  and  to  individuals 
composing  it,  this  congregation  is  indebted  for  prudent  and  prayerful 
oversight.  As  advisers  and  fellow-laborers  with  the  pastor,  they  have 
ever  been  ready  to  perform  any  service  for  the  advancement  of  the 
cause.  They  have  cheerfully  given  time  and  means  required  of  all 
loyal  Presbyterians  when  elevated  to  office  by  their  brethren.  They 
have  sustained  the  burden  both  of  insight  and  oversight  of  the  flock  ; 
they  have  given  indispensable  support  to  the  pastor  ;  they  have  upheld 
the  dignity  and  honor  of  the  church  in  the  works  of  benevolence,  and 
before  the  world.  Their  influence  has  been  felt  and  their  recommenda- 
tions respected  throughout  the  entire  congregation.  As  many  of  these 
services  must  be  given  unknown  to  the  congregation,  I  cannot  refrain 
from  saying  these  few  words. 

The  payment  of  the  debt  on  the  church-building,  and  the  collection 
of  the  Memorial  Fund  amounting  to  $1,427,  mark  a  decided  epoch  in 
the  contributions  for  benevolent  objects.  That  payment  set  us  free 
from  the  necessity  of  consuming  our  resources  upon  ourselves;  and  the 
raising  of  a  fund  which  was  set  forth  in  the  pulpit  with  great  fullness 
and  at  different  times,  made  us  acquainted  with  the  aims  and  methods 
for  the  propagation  of  the  Gospel  pursued  in  the  Presbyterian  Church 
through  its  General  Assembly,  and  created  a  sympathy  in  its  objects 
which  had  not  before  existed,  or  which  we  could  not  indulge  to  any 
considerable  extent.  Since  that  happy  clearance  our  growth  in  the 
grace  of  giving  has  been  marked.  The  contributions  have  been  greatly 
increased  by  a  few  prosperous  givers  ;  the  donations  of  the  many 
have  not  changed  so  much  as  they  should  have  done. 

Reminiscences  crowd,  upon  me  which  would  occupy  hours  to  de- 
scribe. I  can  touch  only  upon  prominent  points  as  I  go  along.  I  could 
speak  of  munificent  gifts  to  charities,  education  and  churches;  and  I 
disparage  none  of  them  while  I  pause  to  speak  of  one  gift  as  the  out- 
growth of  Christian  beneficence  which  is  worthy  of  a  very  prominent 
place  in  the  memorials  of  this  church.  It  also  shows  the  foresight  of  a 
comprehensive  survey  of  the  greatest  need  of  the  church  on  the  whole 
Pacific  Coast,  and  indicates  the  enlargement  of  the  devout  liberality 
which  hears  the  voice  from  heaven,  "Freely  ye  have  received,  freely 


n 


refer  to  an  appropriation  of  property  which  is  so  well  worthy  of  men- 
tion on  the  occasion  of  my  translation  from  this  charge  to  the  professor- 
ship in  our  Theological  School.* 

The  Ladies'  Sewing  Society  was  a  power  in  the  church  which  de- 
serves grateful  remembrance.  Its  services  on  the  church  property  and  in 
keeping  down  the  debt,  were  simply  invaluable.  It  helped  other 
churches  also ;  and  one  of  its  most  signal  efforts  was  the  purchase  of 
Westminster  Chapel  for  our  mission  school. 

Living  streams  of  beneficence  have  flowed  from  the  Sunday  school, 
which  were  like  incense  offered  on  the  altar,  acceptable  to  God  as  his 
children's  praise. 

Special  appeals  for  worthy  objects  have  been  worthily  met ;  and 
there  are  instances  in  which  your  aid  gave  the  efficient  encouragement 
that  led  to  success — a  wise  method  which  entices  others  to  participate 
in  building  up  a  common  benefaction.     The  Home  for  the  Friendless  is 

*The  following  letter  addressed  to  the  donor  will  show  your  pastor's  view  of 
the  signal  gift  which  has  drawn  after  it  the  donations  of  many  that  might  other- 
wise have  never  been  devoted  to  this  cause.    The  letter  is  as  follows  : 

Portland,  Oregon,  March  31,  1886. 
W.  S.  Ladd,  Esq. 

My  Dear  Brother :— I  cannot  refrain  from  expressing  to  you  in  this  formal  man- 
ner the  broad  appreciation  which  all  well-informed  men  must  feel  in  view  of  your 
contribution  to  the  cause  of  Theological  Education.  It  is  unexampled  on  this  coast, 
and  seldom  paralleled  on  any  shore.  The  devotement  of  it  to  the  cause  of  minis- 
terial culture  and  equipment  is  really  a  provision  for  general  education,  for  it  has 
ever  been  observed  that  an  educated  ministry  is  the  support  and  exponent  of  edu- 
cation among  the  people. 

Your  magnificent  gift  will  be  fruitful  in  other  ways.  It  will  be  an  incentive  to 
men  of  property  and  draw  forth  benefactions  which  might  not  otherwise  see  the 
light. 

But  the  timeliness  of  it  is  a  stroke  of  foresight  which  has  an  immediate  bear- 
ing upon  ministerial  training  on  this  coast.  It  makes  provision  for  it,  and  thereby 
invites  pious  young  men  to  prepare  themselves  for  a  theological  course. 

I  cannot  suppress  the  consideration  that  through  this  instrumentality  you  will 
be  preaching  the  everlasting  Gospel  long  after  your  own  lips  shall  be  silent  here: 
though  I  pray  God  that  you  may  live  long  to  enjoy  the  consciousness  of  current 
successes  following  your  liberal  and  well-considered  endowments  and  charities. 

With  highest  respect,  I  remain  your  pastor  and  friend. 


H 

a  joy-inspiring  example  that  sheds  the  smiles  of  children  made  happy 
upon  the  hearts  of  their  benefactors.  Nor  is  it  unworthy  of  mention 
that  the  first  missions  and  schools  in  Alaska  were  begun  in  this  con- 
gregation ;  and  the  means  and  materials  for  erecting  the  first  American 
house  of  worship  built  in  that  territory,  together  with  the  first  mission- 
aries, were  provided  here.     Thanks  be  to  God  for  His  unspeakable  gift ! 

Your  Christian  labors  I  cannot  pass  by  without  comment,  lest  I 
should  seem  to  underrate  them.  Your  liberality  is  not  confined  to  your 
own  branch  of  the  church  universal,  neither  are  your  labors.  Some  of 
these  disciples  are  toilers  and  leaders  in  every  good  word  and  work. 
You  have  also  struggled  along  with  your  spiritual  guides  to  replenish  our 
own  church  under  the  repeated  strain  of  organizing  colonies  ;  and  the 
pastor,  occupying  a  higher  post  of  observation,  has  with  devout  thank- 
fulness noted  the  loyalty  and  zeal  which  animated  you  as  our  ranks 
closed  up  after  the  departure  of  each  colony.  Pastor  and  elders  and 
people  sent  them  forth  with  help  and  benediction  ;  and  then  with  un- 
abated courage  labored  to  restore  the  equipoise  and  renew  our  strength, 
without  abridging  our  labors  or  contributions  in  behalf  of  the  common 
cause.  Systematic  giving  as  God  has  prospered  you,  would  greatly  in- 
crease your  benefactions  and  your  spirit  of  devotion.  Steps  have  been 
considered  in  the  Session  which  will  lead  to  a  better  plan  and  richer 
returns  into  the  treasuries  of  the  Lord,  when  you  shall  have  entered 
your  new  house  of  worship. 

Christian  women  were  the  founders  of  this  church.  Through  their 
labors  and  persuasions  this  site  was  bought  and  paid  for,  and  this 
temple  built.  A  few  only  of  that  devoted  band  remain  in  its  commun- 
ion on  earth :  but  many  more  are  treading  in  their  footsteps  ;  and  T 
should  do  violence  to  my  own  convictions  if  I  should  fail  to  commend 
to  your  most  respectful  regard  the  Order  of  Deaconesses,  whose  unos- 
tentatious services  the  pastor  gratefully  acknowledges ;  and  with  the 
hope  that  it  will  never  be  disbanded,  I  quote  the  inspired  commenda- 
tion, "  Help  those  women  who  labored  with  me  in  the  gospel,  *  *  * 
and  with  other  my  fellow  laborers,  whose  names  are  in  the  book  of  life." 

A  long  cherished  desire  of  the  pastor's  heart  wTas  at  last  gratified  in 
the  formation  of  the  young  people's  Association  for  mutual  improve- 


^5 

merit,  for  cultivating  acquaintance  with  strangers,  and  for  any  depart- 
ments of  usefulness  which  are  timely  and  consistent.  Its  meetings 
have  made  very  favorable  impressions  on  my  mind  ;  and  its  donations 
have  been  peculiarly  valuable.  It  is  cultivating  in  a  congenial  atmos- 
phere the  Christian  graces  which  are  most  social  and  attractive  at  a 
time  when  sinful  amusements  are  most  alluring :  it  is  strengthening 
character  in  all  that  is  noble,  discreet,  sincere  and  manly,  a  consistent 
rebuke  of  the  irreligious  and  profligate  spirit  that  is  so  widely  prev- 
alent among  young  men.  The  expediency  of  such  a  society  is  beyond 
debate ;  the  ends  in  view  and  the  outcome  of  its  influence  may  wisely 
be  left  to  the  counsels  of  experience  and  the  guidance  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  Informed  by  such  maxims  and  chastened  by  growth  in  grace, 
this  Association  will  be  a  harmonious  development  of  the  church  school, 
a  luxuriant  branch  of  the  parent  tree. 

I  speak  of  the  Mission  to  the  Chinese  chiefly  to  commend  it  to  your 
sympathy  and  help.  It  is  the  outgrowth  of  repeated  undertakings  on 
their  behalf  which  exacted  funds  and  self-denial  borne  by  a  few. 
These  children  of  the  continent  opposite  to  our  coast  are  the  victims  of 
a  civilization  which  stiffened  into  its  existing  forms  like  a  frozen  sea 
ages  before  the  Christian  era  began  ;  and  in  many  things  they  are  chil- 
dren yet.  They  appreciate  words  of  kindness;  and  some  of  them  who 
are  brethren  in  Christ  wonder  at  the  treatment  they  receive  from  their 
fellow-heirs  in  the  household  of  faith.  I  remind  you  that  some  of  the 
members  of  your  own  communion,  one  of  them  a  Chinese  woman,  are 
among  the  most  devoted  missionaries  to  these  peculiar  people.  They 
are  going  with  their  Master  outside  of  the  camp  bearing  His  reproach. 
Let  them  not  bear  it  alone. 

The  common  tendency  to  run  in  grooves  and  survey  with  compla- 
cency the  motions  of  the  machinery,  has  been  discountenanced  by  the 
watchman  on  these  towers.  The  agencies  of  the  congregation  have  not 
been  sped  on  steel  or  golden  rails.  Our  chariot  of  salvation  built  in 
heaven  was  wafted  down  on  angels'  wings  which  overshadow  it  still ; 
and  the  breath  of  God  has  urged  it  along  the  highways  and  hedges  of 
this  world.  It  has  borne  its  banners  in  the  front  of  battle  against  every 
form  of  wickedness,  adjusting  itself  to  every  phase  of  the  conflict ;  and 


26 

its  trumpet  has  given  no  uncertain  sound,  proclaiming  the  fullness  of 
salvation  to  all  classes  and  conditions  of  men  on  the  land  and  on  the 
waters,  *  and  at  the  outlook  of  the  sea.f 

The  change  of  location  will  bring  changes  into  the  congregation. 
They  will  not  bring  dangers  but  blessings,  if  you  act  in  the  spirit  of 
fellowship  and  love.  But  your  prosperity  will  require  continued  mis- 
sionary work.  In  nothing  will  your  welcome  to  my  successor  be  more 
grateful  to  him  than  in  the  spirit  of  co-operation  for  the  edification  of 
the  church,  and  your  missionary  zeal  in  building  up  the  congregation. 
This  is  the  two-fold  task  which  God  assigns  to  every  church  in  these 
days. 

The  changes  which  take  place  in  the  congregations  of  all  growing 
cities,  are  marked  and  emphasized  in  Portland.  Immigration,  fluctua- 
tions of  business,  and  growth  of  the  city,  make  social  and  domestic  life 
changeable  ;  and  the  congregation  fluctuates.  If  it  were  not  for  some 
of  the  pioneers  who  are  the  pillars  of  this  church,  it  would  have  lost  its 
identity.  Only  twenty-seven  of  the  members  who  welcomed  me, 
remain.  Of  the  others  who  are  now  on  its  roll,  and  on  the  rolls  of  its 
colonies,  much  the  larger  proportion  has  been  gathered  from  the  ranks 
of  strangers. 

And  besides  this  there  is  a  revolution  going  on  in  society.  I  repeat, 
the  drift  is  away  from  the  churches ;  and  to  catch  a  share  of  it  as  it 
floats  by,  we  must  open  the  doors  wide,  and  pilot  the  strangers  in  ! 
Then,  with  sympathy,  confidence  and  fellowship  you  will  win  them 
and  their  children  to  Christ  and  His  cause. 

That  church  is  doomed  to  arctic  apathy  and  death  by  collapse, 
which  does  not  replenish  its  strength  and  multiply  its  adherents  by 
accessions  from  the  world.  The  nature  of  Christianity  is  aggressive. 
All  its  equipment  is  adapted  to  growth.  All  its  armor  is  forged  for  the 
combat  and  the  march,  and  none  for  retreat.  We  are  soldiers  of  the 
Cross.  We  are  laborers  together  with  God.  Our  line  of  work  runs 
parallel  to  His,  or  is  one  with  it.     Every  church  is  a  lighthouse  amidst 

*  The  Seamen's  Friend  Society,    t  The  Holman  Hhapel  at  Ilwaco. 


27 

surrounding  darkness.     It  is  commanded  to  let  its  light  so  shine  before 
men  that  our  Father  in  Heaven  may  be  glorified. 

In  reviewing  these  years  of  associated  effort,  it  becomes  us  devoutly 
to  acknowledge  the  benignant  Providence  that  has  watched  over  this 
congregation,  the  Angel  of  the  covenant  who  hath  guided  and  guarded 
it,  and  the  indwelling  Spirit  who  hath  fostered  and  developed  its 
graces  in  every  state  of  interior  growth  and  visible  activity.  The  God 
of  all  our  mercies  has  dealt  very  graciously  with  us,  notwithstanding 
our  shortcomings  and  infirmities  ;  and  we  are  this  day  a  monument  of 
His  forgiving  and  restoring  grace. 

He  has  also  guided  many  choice  spirits  into  our  communion,  and 
made  it  the  gate  of  Heaven  to  some  of  them  whose  memories  we 
cherish  with  reverent  regard,  awaiting  the  recognition  of  friends  when 
God  shall  wipe  the  tears  from  every  eye.  He  has  preserved  others 
upon  whose  faces  we  look  to-day  who  occupy  the  same  places  for  long 
years  in  Session,  trusteeship  and  in  choir,  in  prayer-meeting  and  Sun- 
day school  and  in  benevolent  societies.  The  spirit  of  co-operation 
which  exists  between  the  Session  and  the  people,  is  a  cause  of  thank- 
fulness and  a  promise  of  greater  growth  and  blessing. 

Amidst  these  realities  the  pastor  ventures  to  exclaim,  "Ye  are  my 
witnesses."  So  Christ  said,  so  the  Apostle  wrote.  So  every  minister 
of  .the  Gospel  is  entitled  to  say.  But  it  is  a  solemn  searching  appeal  to 
the  most  sacred  influences  ever  exerted  by  erne  spirit  upon  other  spirits. 
Yet  I  have  really  no  other  decisive  test  of  my  ministry.  For  a  pastor's 
success  does  not  depend  upon  the  number  of  conversions  visible  and  en- 
rolled, though  that  is  one  mark  which  should  not  be  wanting.  But  no 
real  conversion  can  be  attributed  to  any  human  being  as  the  direct  or 
efficient  cause.  The  minister's  duty  is  to  persuade  men  to  seek  recon- 
ciliation to  God  ;  but  the  Holy  Spirit  alone  can  change  the  heart.  The 
crucial  test  of  pastoral  efficiency  is  in  the  culture  of  souls  that  profess 
to  be  converted.  He  calls  sinners  to  repentance,  and  builds  up  the 
saints  on  their  most  holy  faith. 

During  these  years  I  have  been  doing  this  two-fold  work  among  you. 
And  I  take  a  survey  of  this  church  with  a  kind  of  satisfaction  which  j 


28 

believe  is  not  inconsistent  with  humility.  The  Lord  knows  with  what 
degree  of  singleness  of  aim  I  have  executed  the  work  of  a  builder  among 
you  :  but  I  am  allowed  to  say  in  sincerity  that  I  have  kept  nothing 
back  that  could  profit  you  :  and  God  knoweth  how  blamelessly  and 
carefully  I  have  endeavored  to  walk  among  you.  "  I  have  coveted  no 
man's  silver  or  gold  or  apparel."  Had  gain  been  my  object  I  would 
have  chosen  another  field  and  a  richer  investment.  But  I  determined 
to  know  nothing  among  you  save  Jesus  Christ  and  Him  crucified.  "Ye 
are  my  glory  and  my  joy."  I  have  earnestly  sought  to  save  you  from 
the  imbecility  of  sentimental  religiousness,  by  transferring  the  prom- 
ises, hopes  and  affections  of  Christian^  into  an  active  and  consistent 
life. 

It  has  been  your  pastor's  happy  lot,  as  some  of  you  have  often  said, 
to  help  you  by  his  prayers  and  his  teaching.  If  you  have  ever  learned 
from  him  something  about  yourselves  which  it  was  important  for  you 
to  know, — if  he  has  understood  your  deeper  wants  and  your  unsatisfied 
feelings  and  comforted  you,  he  has  not  done  it  by  any  chilling  specula- 
tions, but  by  bringing  to  your  remembrance  what  our  Lord  has  spoken, 
and  what  His  most  faithful  followers  have  felt  in  your  circumstances. 
If  he  has  helped  you  to  realize  that  there  is  a  higher  life  than  the  one 
which  society  is  following, — if  he  has  led  you  to  contemplate  another 
world  than  the  one  you  are  wont  to  see,  and  to  read  therein  your  own 
title  to  a  heavenly  mansion ;  the  recollection  will  be  to  him  a  source  of 
pure  consolation  when  he  is  far  away,  and  to  you  the  guide  and  foun- 
tain of  everlasting  joy. 

May  I  not,  as  I  go  away  from  your  sight,  rest  in  the  belief  that  I 
have  opened  the  way  to  diviner  life  than  you  had  ever  experienced  be- 
fore ;  that  I  have  encouraged  some  of  you  who  were  desponding, 
answered  the  enquiring,  comforted  the  sorrowing,  guided  the  baffled, 
and  strengthened  the  weak  and  tempted ;  in  short,  if  I  have  said  or  done 
something  to  give  you  a  clearer  insight  into  the  indwelling  of  the 
Spirit  that  God  has  shed  abroad  in  your  hearts  to  bear  witness  with 
your  spirits  that  you  are  his  beloved  children  ?  Then  I  entreat  you  to 
cast  a  loving  thought  towards  him  whom  you  shall  hear  no  more  in  this 
place,  and  pray  that  the  true  words  he  has  spoken  may  dwell  in  you 


29 

richly  in  all  wisdom,  until  the  heavenly  vision  shall  brighten  with  un- 
fading lustre  what  you  see  dimly  here. 

*  I  need  not  be  missed,  if  my  life  has  been  bearing 
( As  its  summer  and  autumn  move  silently  on ) 
The  bloom,  and  the  fruit,  and  the  seed  of  the  season,— 
I  shall  be  remembered  by  what  I  have  done. 

I  need  not  be  missed  if  another  succeeds  me, 

To  reap  down  the  fields  which  in  spring  1  have  sown  : 

He  who  plowed  and  who  sowed  is  not  missed  by  the  reaper, 
He  is  only  remembered  by  what  he  has  done. 

Not  myself,  but  the  truth  that  in  life  I  have  spoken, 

Not  myself,  but  the  seed  that  in  life  I  have  sown, 
Shall  pass  on  to  ages— all  about  me  forgotten, 

Save  the  truth  I  have  spoken,  and  things  I  have  done. 

Up  and  away  like  the  dew  of  the  morning, 

That  soars  from  the  earth  to  its  home  in  the  sun  ; 
So  let  me  steal  away  gently  and  lovingly, 

Only  remembered  by  what  I  have  done. 

The  review  of  any  ministry  is  very  solemn.  How  much  more  so 
when  it  has  been  extended  through  half  the  average  life  of  a  genera- 
tion !  It  is  the  longest  Presbyterian  pastorate  on  the  Pacific  Coast  ; 
and  there  can  be  but  few  as  long  in  any  denomination.  It  has  had 
imperfections  and  omissions ;  and  none  can  know  so  well  as  the  pastor 
how  they  have  been  deplored  ;  and  with  what  anxiety  he  has  aimed 
and  striven  to  avoid  them.  But  one  thing  is  certain — not  one  of  these 
mistakes  was  founded  in  intention  or  unfaithfulness.  The  appearance 
of  mistake  has  sometimes  been  the  means  which  God  has  blessed  to 
the  furtherance  of  ends  which  lay  very  near  the  pastor's  heart ;  but  he 
thought  it  was  wise  to  say  nothing  after  it  was  past.  Let  it  go.  For- 
get the  things  that  are  behind.     Let  God  "  require  that  which  is  past." 

I  have  often  seen  the  promise  verified  in  my  own  experience  : 
Psalm  37;  5, 6:         "Commit  thy  way  unto  the  Lord  ;  trust  also  in  Him 
*    *    *    and  He  shall  bring  forth  thy  righteousness  as 
the  light,  and  thy  judgment  as  the  noonday." 

I  prize  among  the  best  gifts  of  God's  Spirit  the  grace  of  forgiveness. 

*   HORATIUS   BOXAR. 


3° 

There  is  not  one  who  has  misunderstood  me  or  misconstrued  my 
motives,  that  I  have  not  sincerely  forgiven,  or  whom  I  would  not 
serve  with  all  my  heart.  And  if  I  have  been  so  unfortunate  as  to  have 
given  to  any  one  just  occasion  for  taking  offence,  I  do  not  know  it.  Or, 
if  T  have  ever  injured  any  one,  I  will  gladly  make  restitution  to  the 
utmost  of  my  power.  We  shall  soon  appear  at  the  judgment-seat. 
But  it  is  not  a  human  bar.  It  is  the  last  tribunal ;  for  the  dead,  small 
and  great,  shall  stand  before  God. 

I  leave  you  a  strong,  compact,  united  congregation.  Your  speedy 
recovery  from  the  recurrent  strain  of  departing  detachments  is  a  token 
of  God's  favor,  and  a  prophecy  of  your  growth  and  expansion.  To 
fulfill  it  will  require  enlarged  efforts,  generous  appropriations,  and 
resolute  devotement.  There  remains  much  talent  in  the  church 
which  should  find  employment  on  lines  within  the  benevolent  work 
of  the  congregation,  or  in  the  parts  of  the  city  which  will  be  left 
quite  unoccupied  by  us  when  your  removal  shall  have  taken  place. 
I  remind  you  of  the  importance  of  the  section  of  the  city  around 
the  Mariner's  Home— a  cause  and  a  region  which  have  peculiar 
claims  upon  us.  My  acquaintance  with  the  spiritual  destitution 
of  that  large  part  of  the  city,  and  my  sympathy  for  seamen  (the 
most  neglected  and  yet  the  most  useful  pioneers  of  the  world's  material 
progress),  have  heretofore  led  me  to  urge  these  claims  with  pertinacity, 
under  a  deep  sense  of  the  church's  responsibility.  The  full  embrace 
of  the  opportunity  will  yield  the  richest  missionary  harvest  of  the 
church.  "  Let  no  man  take  thy  crown."  Under  a  renewed  pledge  ot 
obedience,  let  every  disciple,  and  especially  the  unemployed,  inquire, 
"Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do?"  and  then  go  about  some 
Christian  work  to  prove  your  sincerity.  Under  clear  convictions  of 
duty  I  have  sometimes  labored  alone,  partly  because  "  the  King's  busi- 
ness "  required  dispatch,  and  the  discussion  of  measures  might  inter- 
pose a  fatal  delay ;  and  partly  because  the  work  was  new,  and  I  pre- 
ferred to  bear  alone  the  risk  of  an  untried  experiment.  Such  cases  will 
occur  in  every  active  life.  It  is  time  you  were  doing  something  more 
than  you  have  done  :  "  for  the  night  is  far  spent,  the  day  is  at  hand." 


31 

God  will  guide  your  conscience ;  then  leave  to  Him  to  accept  your  work 
and  vindicate  your  motives.  Let  this  conviction  control  the  will,  and 
it  will  equip  the  happy  possessor  for  efficient  service  in  the  work  of  the 
church  and  in  the  reformation  of  society.  Every  associated  effort  in 
morals  and  religion  will  largely  depend  upon  the  faithfulness  of  the  in- 
dividuals who  compose  the  band.  The  degree  of  efficiency  can  be 
gauged  by  the  aggregated  purpose  of  its  members.  That  purpose  be- 
comes devout  and  resolute  by  communion  with  Christ,  which  is  main- 
tained in  solitude.  Herein  lies  the  efficiency  of  associated  efforts. 
Whatever  tends  to  make  it  supreme,  should  be  encouraged.  Without 
it,  the  best  plans,  however  well  contrived,  are  doomed  to  failure. 

This  house  is  a  monument  of  the  devotion  of  its  founders.  But  it 
will  soon  disappear.  The  insatiable  encroachments  of  traffic  have 
doomed  it.  In  a  few  months  you  will  be  summoned  to  bid  it  farewell, 
and  enter  your  new  and  beautiful  sanctuary.  It  will  be  becoming  to 
rehearse  its  history  then.  This  monument  shall  be  demolished,  but 
its  memorials  shall  survive,  and  grow  richer  and  more  lustrous  as  the 
ages  roll.  What  reminiscences  crowd  upon  our  memories !  If  these 
walls  were  suddenly  painted  over  as  recollection  with  magical  power 
retouches  fading  realities,  what  a  gallery  of  portraits  and  processions 
would  appear.  The  spectacle  would  bring  back  the  fleeting  years,  and 
the  faces  and  events  most  memorable.  Here  is  the  baptismal  font 
where  the  seal  of  the  sacred  Trinity  was  set  upon  your  brow.  Here  is 
the  altar  before  which  stood  the  affianced  pair.  Here  seasons  of  com- 
munion left  the  impress  of  their  sanctity  upon  some  who  went  from 
this  table  to  eat  bread  with  the  visible  Christ  in  the  upper  sanctuary. 
Here  with  their  dead  have  come  the  mourners  clad  in  raiment  of 
sorrow.  With  reverent  hands  we  place  their  portraits  on  the  walls, 
and  commemorate  their  virtues. 

If  the  pews  could  give  a  record  of  their  occupants  aroused  to  keen 
attention  under  the  influences  that  have  prevailed  here,  they  would 
tell  of  souls  convinced  of  the  truth,  softened  into  repentance,  resolved 
to  lend  holier  lives, — the  tides  of  feeling  swelling  as  the  spirit  of  devo- 
tion was  spread  abroad  in  care-fraught  minds,  and  the  enfeebled  pur- 


pose  of  duty  made  resolute,  and  the  fascinations  of  the  tempter  grew 
dim  in  the  beauty  of  grace,  and  the  path  of  self-denial  was  no  longer 
bitter  but  attractive  when  the  print  of  the  Saviour's  feet  was  lound 
thereon,  and  the  thirst  for  gain  was  slaked  by  pouring  upon  it  the 
sweet  waters  of  charity,  and  the  ties  of  brotherhood  grew  strong  in  the 
fellowship  of  Christ,  and  the  feeble  faith  entered  into  peace  at  the  ex- 
posure of  unbelief,  and  the  silent  worship  of  the  world's  Creator  was 
mingled  with  tears  of  gratitude  in  beholding  Him  here  manifested  in 
our  nature  to  cleanse  and  redeem  it,  to  comfort  and  enliven  it,  and 
exalt  it  to  heaven. 

A  few  of  you  in  the  Session  and  the  choir,  in  the  pew  and  the  Sab- 
bath school,  who  have  trodden  these  courts  since  their  origin,  know 
their  unwritten  history  for  a  longer  period  than  the  pastor,  and  recall 
scenes  of  surpassing  interest  which  have  been  transacted  here ;  but  no 
one  can  weigh  the  tremendous  import  of  the  influences  which  have 
been  poured  like  the  waters  of  cleansing  and  refreshment  upon  the 
souls  of  the  worshippers  that  have  assembled  here :  when  your  prayers 
and  benedictions,  your  songs  of  praise  and  the  multitude  of  your 
thoughts  have  given  inspiration  to  your  minister,  and  by  your  looks 
of  appreciation  encouraged  him  to  do  his  best  in  the  pulpit  and  the 
study,  in  the  prayer  meeting  and  the  parish,  resorting  to  varied  means 
and  any  change,  to  promote  our  common  cause,  and  to  make  all  men 
enter  into  the  fellowship  of  the  saints,  and  drink  at  the  spring  of  their 
usefulness  and  joy. 

Pray  indulge  me  as  the  vision  of  these  realities  gathers  upon  the 
corridors  of  memory  which  we  wander  through  to-day.  Portraits  that 
hung  upon  these  walls  are  photographed  upon  my  heart.  Names  sel- 
dom spoken  now  are  voices  in  my  ear;  and  many  of  the  scenes  half 
forgotten  or  dimly  noticed  then,  are  growing  brighter  as  the  mount 
grew  radiant  where  Christ  was  transfigured  and  the  voice  was  heard — 
"  This  is  my  beloved  Son:  hear  Him."  I  see  the  multitude  as  they 
came  and  went ;  and  some  of  them  heard  Him  as  ye  have  heard  Him 
— yet  not  all. 

My  greatest  grief  is  as  I  turn  away,  that  some  of  you  whom  I  love, 
and  who  have  ever  treated  me  with  all  the  respect  I  deserve,  do  not 


33 

love  the  Master  whose  message  I  have  faithfully  delivered,  and  do  not 
treat  Him  with  the  confidence  and  devotion  which  his  sacrifices  for 
you  deserve.  I  have  employed  every  mode  of  persuasion  and  illustra- 
tion to  convince  you  of  the  truth  of  the  Gospel  and  its  power  to  save 
you.  I  have  laid  under  tribute  the  realms  of  nature  and  revelation  to 
excite  your  trust  in  God  who  is  the  author  of  both.  I  have  summoned 
at  the  bar  of  your  understanding  the  testimonies  of  men  of  every  de- 
gree of  knowledge,  and  of  every  age,  differing  in  speech  and  educa- 
tion but  agreeing  in  the  approved  and  acceptable  saying  that  "Jesus 
Christ  came  into  the  the  world  to  save  sinners  ;  "  and  I  have  the  testi- 
mony of  my  conscience  that  "  I  have  not  shunned  to  declare  unto  you 
the  whole  counsel  of  God."  O  tempt  the  Lord  no  longer  to  say  to  his 
messengers,  "  He  is  joined  to  his  idols — let  him  alone!  "  You  have  lost 
the  ingenuousness  of  faith,  and  are  wandering  under  the  chill  shadows 
of  skepticism.  Let  simple  trust  in  Christ  take  possession  of  your  heart, 
and  He  will  save  you.     O  that  this  appeal  to  you  might  now  be  heeded  ! 

I  have  no  fears  for  any  of  you  that  are  now  the  followers  of  the 
crucified  Son  of  God.     For  it  is  written  : 

l  John  2:1.  "  If  any  man  sin  we  have  an  advocate  with  the  Father, 

even  Jesus  Christ  the  righteous." 

We  commit  to  Him  our  care.  He  covers  us  with  the  robe  of  His 
righteousness  here.  We  wear  it  into  eternity.  And  lo  !  He  who  sits 
upon  the  throne  is  He  that  wrought  it  that  they  who  wear  it  might  l>e 
transfigured  into  the  image  of  Him  who  wove  it  upon  the  Cross  for 
them. 

It  may  be  expedient  in  the  early  history  of  a  church  to  operate  our 
well-adjusted  plan  of  government  with  allowance  and  concession  ;  for  by 
such  adaptation  the  congregation,  at  first  composed  of  heterogeneous 
material,  becomes  united  in  spirit  and  harmonious  in  action — a  constitu- 
ency established  upon  principles  held  in  common,  and  workingoutresults 
which  its  principles  were  designed  to  accomplish.  A  Presbyterian 
church  in  doctrinal  confession  and  Prcsbyterial  connection  has  all  the 
elements  of  stability  and  progress.  It  is  both  radical  and  conservative, 
regulated  by  law  and  yet  free.  Its  temporal  and  spiritual  affairs  are 
alike  promoted  by  adherence  to  the  principles  that  distinguish  our 


34 

scriptural  church  which  have  won  for  it  the  admiration  of  observers  in 
every  land  and  age,  and  the  enthusiastic  love  and  devotion  of  its  chil- 
dren. 

I  wish  with  all  my  heart  to  assist  you  and  my  successor  to  keep 
this  church  a  God-feariug  and  Christ-honoring  church  that  shall  be 
known  in  heaven  and  on  earth  as  an  instrumentality  wielded  by  the 
Holy  Spirit  to  hasten  the  latter-day  glory.  May  it  ever  have  wisdom 
from  above  to  choose  pastors  and  elders  and  committees  to  carry  out  all 
plans  for  spiritual  culture  and  church  work ;  and  then  may  its  laity, 
who  are  the  pillars  of  its  stability  and  the  artificers  of  its  progress,  be 
loyal  to  their  leaders  and  faithful  to  their  vows  of  support  and  co-opera- 
tion. 

To  ask  you  to  give  my  successsor  a  high  place  in  your  confidence 
were  superfluous.  Let  him  know  that  he  possesses  it  by  attempting 
no  projects  without  his  approval,  and  by  supporting  him  in  his  plans 
to  enlarge  his  usefulness,  beginning  at  your  own  altars,  and  stretching 
forth  your  hands  and  voices  to  him. 

Dear  friends,  though  I  leave  you  to  represent  the  Synod  of  the  Co- 
lumbia in  the  training  of  the  rising  ministry,  I  shall  retain  my  mem- 
bership in  the  Presbytery  to  which  this  church  belongs.  To  the  mem- 
bers of  the  church  and  congregation  I  express  my  most  grateful  thanks 
for  innumerable  acts  of  kindness.  I  shall  cherish  in  my  inmost  heart 
your  forbearance,  your  sympathy,  your  appreciation  and  affection. 
You  have  held  me  up  in  my  unresting  labors  by  your  generous  support 
and  your  faithful  prayers.  I  shall  never  forget  how  our  souls  have  been 
lifted  up  on  the  wings  of  devotion  and  made  better  and  more  resolute 
by  mutual  help.  These  experiences  no  change  of  scene  can  blot  out. 
God  grant  that  the  impressions  made  by  the  ministry  that  will  soon 
close,  may  be  purified  from  all  imperfection  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  to 
guide  and  animate  you  in  your  pilgrimage,  and  remain  upon  the 
heart's  imperishable  tablets  in  eternity. 

I  can  not  speak  the  word  that  parts  us. 

Good  Morning  !    We  shall  meet  again. 


65 


BENEDICTORY  PRAYER   AND   DOXOEOCiY. 


Jfor  this  cause  3E  boto  mg  knees  unto  the  Jfather  of 
our  Sorb  Jesus  (Jurist,  of  tohom  the  tohole  familg  in 
heaoen  nub  earth  is  namcb,  that  he  tooulb  grant  gou,  ar- 
rorbing  to  the  rirhes  of  his  glorg,  to  be  strengtheneb 
toith  might  bu  his  <Snirit  in  the  inner  man ;  that  Christ 
mag  btoell  in  pour  hearts  bg  faith  ;  that  ge,  being  rooteb 
anb  grounbeb  in  lobe,  mag  be  able  to  comnrrhenb  toith  ail 
saints  tohat  is  the  breabth,  anb  length,  anb  beuth,  anb 
height ;  anb  to  knoto  the  lobe  of  Christ,  iohich  uasseth 
knorolebge,  that  ge  might  be  ftlleb  toith  all  the  fulness 
of  Oiob.  Jiloto  unto  him  that  is  able  to  bo  exceebing 
abunbantlg  abobe  all  that  toe  ask  or  think,  arrorbing  to 
the  notoer  that  toorketh  in  us,  unto  him  be  glorg  in  the 
church  bg  Christ  Jesus  throughout  all  ages,  toorlb  toith- 
out  m\i.    JVmen. 

Eph.  III:i4-a 


Explanatory.— There  are  a  few  paragraphs  and  references  in  the  foregoing 
pages  which  were  not  spoken  when  the  discourse  was  delivered,  in  consequence 
of  the  pressure  for  time.  They  are  now  inserted  according  to  the  intention  of  the 
author  to  make  the  record  more  comprehensive.  No  attempt,  however,  has  been 
made  to  compose  a  history. 


Action  of  the  Congregation. 


At  the  close  of  the  service  a  congregational  meeting  was  held,  at 
Which  a  committee  appointed  to  draft  resolutions  relative  to  the 
departure  of  Dr.  Lindsley,  presented  the  following  report: 

REPORT  OF   COMMITTEE   ON   RESOLUTIONS. 

Mr.  Chairman,  Members  of  the  Congregation: — At  a  meeting  of  the 
session  of  this  church  held  on  Monday  evening,  October  4th,  our  pastor, 
Rev.  A.  L.  Lindsley,  D.  D.,  notified  us  of  his  intended  resignation  as 
pastor,  and  of  his  acceptance  of  the  professorship  in  the  Theological 
Seminary  of  San  Francisco.  The  Session,  after  mature  deliberation, 
consented  to  join  in  recommending  the  church  to  acquiesce  in  the  disso- 
lution of  the  pastoral  relation  by  Presbytery. 

On  Thursday  evening,  October  7th,  after  the  usual  lecture,  the  con- 
gregation met  and  appointed  a  committee  to  draft  a  suitable  expression 
of  the  sentiment  of  the  congregation  in  view  of  the  separation  now 
about  to  take  place. 

On  Sabbath  morning,  October  10th,  1886,  the  congregation  assented 
to  the  recommendations  of  the  Session  and  appointed  three  commission- 
ers to  attend  Presbytery  and  make  known  the  action  of  the  Session  and 
congregation. 

Seldom  does  it  devolve  upon  a  committee  to  prepare  resolutions 
touching  a  pastorate  so  rich  in  initial  influences,  so  far-reaching  in  its 
importance  and  so  well  established  in  assured  success.  We  have  found 
it  no  easy  matter  to  condense  in  a  few  lines  the  labors  of  eighteen  years 
of  faithful  service.  How  far-reaching  the  influences  which  he  has  set 
in  motion  ! 

From  Alaska  to  California  the  foundations  have  been  laid.  Missions 
have  been  established,  churches  organized,  Sabbath  schools  planted  and 
faithful  teachers  sent  to  nourish  and  to  train.  And  now  from  these 
centers  of  influence,  go  streams  which  shall  comfort  and  gladden  the 
hearts  of  men  till  time  shall  end. 


3* 

Divining  from  the  first  the  breadth  of  the  field,  and  the  necessity 
for  Christian  activity  in  this  rapidly  growing  country,  with  clear  per- 
ception he  has  grasped  the  points  of  vantage,  and  planted  the  banner 
of  the  Master  in  many  a  waste  place. 

This  people  desire  now  to  bear  testimony  to  the  pure  consecration 
of  life,  the  lofty  aims,  the  loving  personal  ministry  and  faithfulness 
with  which  the  gospel  has  been  presented.  During  the  more  than 
nine  hundred  Sabbaths  which  he  has  served  this\  people,  the  flock  has 
not  lacked  food  nor  care. 

The  public,  too,  know  where  to  find  him,  and  their  demands  for  his 
services  have  been  numerous.  Outside  the  regular  Sabbath  and  week- 
day church  services,  he  has  been  called  to  take  part  in  protracted  meet- 
ings, Y.  M.  C.  A.  services,  public  lectures,  Sunday  school  conventions, 
Bible  Society  occasions,  Seamen's  Bethel,  General  Assembly,  Synod, 
Presbytery,  church  dedications  and  temperance  work.  To  have  been 
ready  on  all  these  occasions  with  something  to  interest  and  instruct 
involves  an  amount  of  labor  which  is  almost  incalculable.  A  thorough 
consideration  of  these  things  will  better  enable  us  to  appreciate  his 
services. 

It  is  largely  due  to  him  that  Presbyterianism  is  so  well  established 
on  this  coast.  Through  him  the  Alaskans  have  the  light  of  the  Gospel, 
and  competent  ministers  and  teachers  preach  to  and  teach  those  who 
before  were  shut  up  to  idolatry. 

The  Puyallup,  the  Umatilla  and  the  Nez  Perce  Indians  through 
him  have  competent  ministers  and  teachers  who  declare  unto  them  the 
Gospel.     The  Chinese,  too,  have  not  been  forgotten  or  overlooked. 

The  twenty-two  churches  organized  by  him  amongst  our  people, 
are  sufficient  proof  that  nothing  in  this  line  has  been  neglected. 

But  to  this  people  he  has  faithfully  declared  the  Word  of  God.  He  has 
ever  held  aloft  the  banner  of  Christ,  and  upon  it  has  been  that  Name 
which  is  above  every  name.  The  whole  trend  of  his  public  ministry  has 
been  to  uphold  believers,  and  bring  sinners  into  the  kingdom.  He 
has  been  especially  happy  in  comforting  the  sorrowing.  There  are  not 
a  few  who  in  the  presence  of  death,  have  heard  words  of  comfort  and 
peace,  for  which  they  will  ever  be  grateful. 


39 

Sensible  of  the  high  honor  conferred  on  Dr.  Lindsley  in  his  unan- 
imous election  to  a  chair  in  the  Theological  Seminary  of  the  coast,  we 
recognize  with  peculiar  force  his  eminent  fitness  for  that  position.  To  it 
he  will  bring  wide  experience  as  a  pastor,  the  culture  of  a  scholar,  and 
the  wisdom  and  attractive  power  which  have  marked  him  as  a  leader 
in  planning  and  furthering  the  manifold  enterprises  for  the  advance- 
ment of  religion  and  education  throughout  the  Northwest.  In  the 
higher  field  to  which  he  is  called,  we  shall  pray  that  he  may  be  emi- 
nently successful  in  training  for  the  Master,  men  of  pure,  strong 
character,  rich  in  faith  and  abounding  in  good  works. 

In  parting  with  him  we  lose  one  whose  name,  wherever  known, 
stands  for  that  which  is  good  and  true.  It  is  as  a  bulwark  for  the 
Church  and  religion  throughout  this  coast. 

At  the  beginning  of  his  pastorate  there  were  eighty-seven  resident 
members.  Since  then  seven  hundred  and  forty  have  united.  Four 
churches  in  the  vicinity  have  been  established  by  members  from  this 
church  and  more  than  $240,000  have  been  contributed  by  the  congre- 
gation for  various  objects.  The  present  membership  is  four  hundred 
and  twenty-three. 

This  church,  nurtured  and  built  up  from  small  beginnings  under 
his  guidance  and  the  blessing  of  God,  to  its  present  standing  and 
influence,  contemplates  with  deepest  sorrow  the  severing  of  the  ties 
that  have  united  pastor  and  people,  and  desires  now  to  unite  in  asking 
for  him  the  blessings  of  that  God  whose  word  he  has  so  faithfully  declared, 
and  the  consolations  of  that  grace  he  has  so  often  administered  to 
others.  H.  W.  Corbett, 

G.  M.  Wells, 
H.  E.  Dosch, 
J.  Thorbukn  Ross, 
S.  P.  Lee. 

After  this  report  had  been  received  and  adopted  by  a  unanimous 
rising  vote,  it  was  moved  and  carried  in  the  same  manner  that  Dr. 
Lindsley  be  requested  to  furnish  the  manuscript  of  his  sermon  for 
publication  by  the  church. 


Address  by  Rev.  E.  W.  Garner,  L.L.D., 

On  Declaring  the  Pulpit  Vacant  Dec.  12,  1886. 


You  have  now  reached  that  period  in  your  history  when  the  pasto- 
ral connexion  between  you  and  my  dear  and  honored  brother,  Dr. 
Lindsley,  has  come  to  an  end  ;  and  I  feel  that  you  cannot  permit  him 
to  retire  from  the  office  he  has  so  long  retained  without  giving  expres- 
sion to  the  sincere  and  fervent  desires  of  your  hearts,  and  commending 
him  to  the  special  care  of  our  Heavenly  Father. 

He  has  labored  among  you  for  the  long  period  of  eighteen  years. 
Many  of  you  think  with  gratitude  to  God,  of  the  happy  course  of  activ- 
ity and  usefulness  which  he  has  pursued.  During  that  time  there 
have  been  great  changes  in  your  midst,  but  you  bless  God  that  he  sus- 
tained your  beloved  pastor  by  his  grace,  and  enabled  him  to  go  forward 
in  his  work,  carrying  with  him  the  affections  of  his  people,  and  receiv- 
ing many  signs  of  the  success  of  his  labors. 

You  think  with  grateful  pleasure  of  his  pulpit  ministrati<m$  ;  of  the 
faithfulness  with  which  you  have  been  admonished  ;  and  of  the  earnest- 
ness with  which  you  have  been  warned.  Many  of  you  rejoice  to  think 
of  him  as  the  agent  in  your  conversion  ;  and  all  of  you  devoutly  bless 
God  for  those  grand  expositions  of  Divine  truth  which  are  exercising  a 
moulding  influence  over  your  spiritual  characters,  and  fitting  you  for 
the  higher  sphere  of  heavenly  knowledge. 

As  a  pastor,  he  never  selfishly  nor  indolently  shrank  from  the 
labor  of  serving  you.  In  your  homes  you  ever  found  him  to  be  your 
friend.  You  have  called  him  to  the  couch  where  your  dear  dying  suf- 
ferers lay,  and  therein  tenderness  he  has  administered  the  consolations 
of  the  Gospel  to  both  them  and  you.  Therefore  by  your  many  family 
circles  he  will  ever  be  greatly  beloved.    Your  children  have  been  taught 


4^ 

to  revere  him  ;  and  there  are  many  of  yon  who  have  been  trained  from 
infancy  under  his  instructions  and  who  are  thankful  to  be  able  to  trace 
their  eflects  In  your  hearts  and  lives. 

The  general  conduct  of  Dr.  Lindsley  in  public  and  private  life,  the 
uniformity  of  his  fine  Christian  character,  his  high  reputation,  and  his 
life,  so  singularly  free  from  those  blemishes  which  sometimes  mar  the 
character  of  public  men,  give  cause  for  devout  thankfulness.  I  need 
not  refer  to  the  academic  honors,  of  your  late  pastor  ;  honors  deserv- 
edly bestowed  and  gracefully  worn,  nor  to  the  many  churches  which 
he  has  been  enabled  to  found  in  and  around  this  city,  as  well  as  those  in 
the  East,  nor  to  the  obligations  under  which  several  institutions  of 
learning  are  laid  to  him. 

He  was  a  great  man  everywhere,  but  was  greatest  in  the  pulpit. 
One  who  heard  him  so  seldom  as  the  present  speaker  is  imperfectly 
qualified  to  form  an  accurate  estimate  of  Dr.  Lindsley 's  powers  in  this 
department,  but  I  never  could  conceive  it  possible  that  an  intelligent 
man  could  listen  to  him  without  deep  impressions.  He  seized  his  sub- 
ject strongly — with  great  originality — he  developed  it  fully  and  efl'ect- 
ively  ;  scintillations  of  thought  and  power  were  struck  from  it  at  every 
wheel,  and  his  affluence  of  illustration  seemed  to  well  out  like  an  ex- 
haustless  stream. 

There  is  a  peculiar  richness  about  his  whole  mental  furniture,  and 
there  have  been  favorite  themes  on  which  he  has  kindled  up  with  a 
divine  fire,  with  something  akin  to  the  feelings  of  the  seraphim,  as 
they  cry,  u  Holy,  holy,  holy,"  before  the  Lord  of  Hosts. 

When  I  heard  him  in  the  pulpit  I  felt  that  he  was  a  man,  a  holy 
man — it  is  true,  yet  a  man,  speaking  unto  men  ;  and  I  candidly  confess 
that  but  few  ministers  ever  produced  such  an  impression  on  my  mind. 
There  were  two  things  which  Dr.  Lindsley,  I  believe,  never  did,  and 
which  he  could  not  have  done  had  he  tried,  viz.,  to  makeateem  sermon, 
or  to  deliver  a  sermon  mechanically,  without  unction  and  fervor. 

I  have  never  heard  him  address  an  audience  without  doing  ample 
justice  to  his  subject,  and  without  throwing  himself  heart  and  mind, 
with  all  their  varied  stores  of  rich  thought  and  earnest  feeling  into  the 
elucidation  and  enforcement  of  his  theme.     He  was  often  carried  away 


43 

with  the  torrent  of  his  conceptions  and  surcharged  with  an  afflatus 
from  the  higher  world.  The  impression  produced  by  his  handling  of  a 
subject,  was  not  that  it  was  exhausted,  but  that  it  was  exhaustless. 
The  more  he  talked,  the  more  there  seemed  to  be  to  say,  and  at  the 
close,  the  untrodden  field  appeared  much  larger  than  the  one  actually 
surveyed.  This  was  the  feeling  of  all  his  thoughtful  hearers:  the 
more  there  was  drawn  out  of  him  the  more  there  was  to  come. 

It  was  because  of  his  many  and  varied  excellencies  that  all  eyes 
were  turned  to  Dr.  Lindsley,  as  the  most  suitable  man  to  fill  the  new 
Theological  chair,  to  which  by  the  suffrage  of  his  brethren  he  was 
called.     May  his  last  days  be  his  best  days. 

And  what  shall  I  say  to  you,  the  members  of  this  church  and 
congregation?  Whilst  you  are  without  a  pastor  stand  firmly  by  one  an- 
other, shoulder  to  shoulder.  Give  yourselves  much  to  prayer  for  Divine 
direction.  "  Pray  ye  to  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  that  He  would  send 
you  a  laborer"  into  your  harvest  field.  Never  did  you  stand  in  greater 
need  of  Divine  guidance  than  now.  Without  Him  you  can  do  nothing 
but  that  which  will  make  for  your  harm.  I  would  recommend  you 
to  appoint  a  time  for  special  prayer,  that  your  Heavenly  Father  may 
give  you  a  man  after  his  own  heart.  All  that  I  wish  to  say  to  you  may 
be  summed  up  in  that  one  word — pray,  and  there  need  be  no  fear  as  to 
your  future.  "The  Lord  bless  you  and  keep  you.  The  Lord  lift  up 
His  countenance  upon  you  and  give  you  peace." 

By  the  authority  vested  in  me  by  the  Presbytery  of  Oregon,  I 
hereby  pronounce  this  pulpit  vacant. 


